Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment (CHMI) 424B5 Prospectus supplement for primary offering

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-281317

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated August 26, 2024)

 

Up to $54,775,747 in Shares of

Common Stock

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the offer and sale from time to time of up to $54,775,447 in shares of our common stock. The common stock will be offered over a period of time and from time to time through Citizens JMP Securities (“Citizens JMP”), LLC, B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley”) and BTIG, LLC (“BTIG”), as our agents (the “Agents”), in accordance with the terms of separate At Market Issuance Sales Agreements that we entered into with the Citizens JMP and B. Riley on August 31, 2018, as amended on August 25, 2021, November 4, 2022, and August 9, 2024, and the terms of the At Market Issuance Sales Agreement that we entered into with the BTIG on August 9, 2024 (the “Sales Agreements”). Under the Sales Agreements, we may issue and sell up to an aggregate of $150.0 million in shares of our common stock from time to time through the Agents. Prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, we issued and sold an aggregate of approximately $95,224,253 in shares of our common stock through Citizens JMP and B. Riley. As of the date of this Prospectus Supplement, up to $54,775,747 in shares of our common remain available for sale through the Agents pursuant to the Sales Agreements.

Sales of our common stock, if any, made under the Sales Agreements will be made by any method permitted by law that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “CHMI.” The closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on August 27, 2024 was $3.55 per share.

There are restrictions on transfer and ownership of our common stock intended to, among other purposes, preserve our qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see the section entitled “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in the accompanying prospectus.

We will pay the Agents a commission equal to 2.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of shares of our common stock sold by the Agents pursuant to the Sales Agreements. The Agents are not required to sell any specific number of shares or dollar amount of our common stock but will use their commercially reasonable efforts, as our agents, and subject to the terms of the Sales Agreements, to sell the shares offered by this prospectus supplement, as instructed by us. In connection with the sale of our common stock on our behalf, the Agents will be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Agents may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

Investing in our common stock involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to which it relates is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Citizens JMP B. Riley Securities BTIG

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 28, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT	S-ii
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	S-ii
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	S-iii
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE	S-iii
THE COMPANY	S-1
THE OFFERING	S-2
RISK FACTORS	S-3
USE OF PROCEEDS	S-7
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	S-7
LEGAL MATTERS	S-8
EXPERTS	S-8

Prospectus

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
CHERRY HILL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORPORATION	2
RISK FACTORS	3
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	4
USE OF PROCEEDS	6
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	7
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK	9
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	11
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS	12
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	13
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS	14
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER	19
BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES	22
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS	23
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	53
LEGAL MATTERS	56
EXPERTS	57
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	58
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC	59

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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the Agents have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information.

We are not, and the Agents are not, making an offer of the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates which are specified in these documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the offering, and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which includes more general information about the securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to this offering. Before you buy any shares of our common stock, it is important for you to read and consider the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with additional information described under the headings “Information Incorporated by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

If the information set forth in this prospectus supplement differs in any way from the information set forth in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus supplement to the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” refer to Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, references to “our operating partnership” refer to Cherry Hill Operating Partnership, LP and references to “our Manager” refer to Cherry Hill Mortgage Management, LLC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “goal,” “objective,” “will,” “may” or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. The following factors are examples of those factors that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements: our ability to execute our investment objectives and business strategy effectively; our ability to complete our planned internalization and terminate the management agreement with our Manager; our ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity and debt securities and to invest the net proceeds of any such offering in the target assets, if any, identified at the time of the offering; our ability to obtain future financing arrangements and refinance existing financing arrangements as they mature; our expected leverage; our expected investments and the timing thereof; our ability to acquire servicing-related assets and mortgage and real estate-related securities; our ability to compete in the marketplace; market, industry and economic trends; recent market developments and actions taken and to be taken by the U.S. Government, the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and the SEC; mortgage loan modification programs and future legislative actions; the Federal Reserve’s potential changes in interest rates; our and CHMI Sub-REIT, Inc.’s (the “Sub-REIT”) ability to qualify and maintain qualifications as REITs under the Code and limitations on our business due to

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compliance with requirements for maintaining such qualifications as REITs under the Code; our ability to maintain our exclusion from regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), or otherwise not fall within those definitions; projected capital and operating expenditures; availability of qualified personnel; projected prepayment and/or default rates; general volatility of the capital markets; and other risks associated with acquiring, investing in and managing residential mortgage assets. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including the risk factors described below and in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by those risk factors included in our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance with those requirements, file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants, including us, that file such information electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is www.sec.gov. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE. Our corporate website is located at www.chmireit.com. Our corporate website and the information contained therein or connected thereto do not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the registration statement has been declared effective. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which form a part of the registration statement, do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations. For further information about us and our common stock, we refer you to the registration statement and to such exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning the provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such document so filed. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important business, financial and other information to you by referring you to other documents separately filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC and any subsequent filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to completion of the offering of our common stock described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2024;

• our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 6, 2024 and August 8, 2024, respectively;

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• our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 14, 2024, July 9, 2024 and August 9, 2024;

• the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 29, 2024; and

• the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on September 27, 2013, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description;

• the description of our Series A Preferred Stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 16, 2017, including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

• the description of our Series B Preferred Stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2019, including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above that have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request those documents from us by writing to Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation, c/o Investor Relations, 1451 Route 34, Suite 303, Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727 or by calling Investor Relations at (877) 870-7005.

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THE COMPANY

We are a publicly traded residential real estate finance company focused on acquiring, investing in and managing residential mortgage assets in the United States. We were incorporated in Maryland on October 31, 2012, and we commenced operations on October 9, 2013 following the completion of our initial public offering. Our common stock, our 8.20% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (our “Series A Preferred Stock”) and our 8.250% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, (our “Series B Preferred Stock”) are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbols “CHMI,” “CHMI-PRA” and “CHMI-PRB,” respectively.

We conduct substantially all of our operations through our operating partnership, Cherry Hill Operating Partnership, LP, and its subsidiaries, including CHMI Sub-REIT, Inc., or our Sub-REIT. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership.

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2013 and our Sub-REIT has elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. We believe that we and our Sub-REIT have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and we believe that our and our Sub-REIT’s current organization and intended manner of operation will enable us and our Sub-REIT to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as REITs. As REITs, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. We operate our business in a manner that permits us to maintain an exclusion or exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act.

Our principal objective is to generate attractive current yields and risk-adjusted total returns for our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividend distributions and secondarily through capital appreciation. We attempt to attain this objective by selectively constructing and actively managing a portfolio of servicing-related assets, consisting of mortgage servicing rights, or MSRs, on residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage-backed securities. Subject to market conditions, we may also invest in prime residential mortgage loans and other cashflowing residential mortgage assets.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1451 Route 34, Suite 303, Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727, and our telephone number is (877) 870-7005. The offices of our Manager are located at 907 Pleasant Valley Avenue, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054. Our website is www.chmireit.com. Our website and the information contained at or connected to our website do not constitute a part of this prospectus.

We are externally managed by our Manager, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Our Manager is a party to a services agreement with Freedom Mortgage Corporation, or Freedom Mortgage. On July 9, 2024, we announced that the special committee of our board of directors, which committee is comprised entirely of independent and disinterested members of the board, after consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors and as part of the special committee’s previously announced exploration of strategic alternatives, determined and recommended to the board of directors that it is advisable and in our and our stockholders’ best interests to internalize our management, terminate the management agreement with the Manager (the “Management Agreement”) and take all steps necessary to begin operating as a fully integrated, internally managed mortgage REIT (the “Internalization”). Following such recommendation from the special committee, our board of directors authorized and approved the Internalization and authorized and directed our officers to take all actions necessary to cause us to effect the Internalization. No assurance can be given as to when the Internalization will be completed or the terms on which it will be completed.

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THE OFFERING

Issuer

Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation

Common Stock Offered by Us

Up to $54,775,747 in shares of our common stock

Shares of Common Stock Outstanding

Immediately Prior to this Offering

30,080,156 shares¹

NYSE Symbol

“CHMI”

Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership

In order to ensure that we remain qualified as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, our charter provides that generally no person, other than certain exempted holders, may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, more than 9.0% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our stock. Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, exempt a person from the 9.0% ownership limit under certain circumstances. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in the accompanying prospectus.

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include the acquisition of additional residential mortgage-related assets. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Distribution Policy

To continue to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. We intend to continue to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts such that we distribute all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income in each year.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consideration

For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to purchasing, owning and disposing of our common stock, please see the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.

Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves risk. See “Risk Factors” and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our common stock.

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The number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to this offering excludes: (i) 601,151 shares of our common stock that may be issued upon redemption of 601,151 long term incentive plan units of our operating partnership granted pursuant to the cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”); (ii) up to 2,443,126 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to the 2023 Plan; and (iii) up to 181,942 shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to RSUs granted under the 2023 Plan.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves risk. Please see the risks described below in addition to the risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other information that we file from time to time with the SEC. Such risks are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect us and the market value of our common stock The risks described could affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, prospects, and the market value of our common stock In such a case, you may lose all or part of your original investment. You should consider carefully the risks described below and in these reports, as well as other information and data set forth in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein before making an investment decision with respect to our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile following the offer and sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement.

The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock include:

• the uncertainty and economic impact of global pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting impact on market liquidity, the value of assets and availability of financing;

• actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;

• increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of our common stock to demand a higher yield or to seek alternative investments;

• changes in market valuations of similar companies;

• adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future;

• additions or departures of key personnel;

• actions by institutional stockholders;

• speculation in the press or investment community;

• general market, economic and political conditions and the impact of these conditions on the global credit markets;

• the operating performance of other similar companies;

• changes in accounting principles; and

• passage of legislation, changes in monetary policy or other regulatory developments that adversely affect us or our industry.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds to us from this offering.

We have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds to us from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds to us from this offering, their ultimate use may vary from their currently intended use. The failure by us to apply these funds effectively could harm our business. Pending their use, we may maintain the net offering proceeds in interest-bearing, short-term, marketable investment grade securities or (interest or non-interest bearing) checking (or escrow) accounts or money market accounts that are consistent with our intention to maintain our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.

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Market fluctuations could negatively impact the market price of our common stock.

The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many companies in industries similar or related to ours and that have been unrelated to these companies’ operating performances. These market fluctuations could reduce the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors or may be lower than those of companies with comparable market capitalizations, which could lead to a material decline in the market price of our common stock.

We have not established a minimum distribution payment level, and we cannot assure you of our ability to make distributions in the future.

We expect to make regular distributions to holders of our common stock in amounts such that we distribute all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income in each year. We have not established a minimum distribution payment level, and our ability to make distributions may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the risk factors described in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, debt covenants, maintenance of our REIT qualification, applicable law and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time.

No assurance can be given that the level of any distributions we make to our stockholders will achieve a market yield or increase or even be maintained over time, any of which could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In addition, some of our distributions may include a return of capital, which would reduce the amount of capital available to operate our business.

Future offerings of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities, which would dilute our existing stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making offerings of debt or additional offerings of equity securities, including commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred stock or common stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Our 8.20% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and our 8.250% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock have, and any future series of preferred stock may have, a preference on liquidating distributions and a preference on dividend payments that could limit our ability to make a dividend distribution to the holders of our common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common stock bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their stock holdings in us.

Common stock eligible for future sales may depress the market price of our common stock.

We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales of shares of our common stock, including future resales of the shares sold in this offering, or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock, or the availability of such securities for future sales, on the value of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.

Risks Related to the Termination of our Management Agreement with our Manager

We may not be able to fully realize the expected benefits of our planned transition to a self-managed company or the ability to realize such benefits may take longer than anticipated.

On July 9, 2024, we announced that the special committee of the Company’s board of directors, which committee is comprised entirely of independent and disinterested members of the board, after consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors and as part of the special committee’s previously announced

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exploration of strategic alternatives, determined and recommended to the board of directors that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to internalize management of the Company, terminate the Management Agreement and take all steps necessary to begin operating the Company as a fully integrated, internally managed mortgage REIT. Following such recommendation from the special committee, our board of directors authorized and approved the Internalization and authorized and directed our officers to take all actions necessary to cause us to effect the Internalization. As a result, we expect to terminate the Management Agreement and become a self-managed company that is no longer reliant on the Manager and its relationship with Freedom Mortgage Corporation (the “Services Provider”). We believe that the termination of the Management Agreement, elimination of the annual management fee, and the transition to a self-management structure will result in material benefits to our stockholders, including substantial cost savings, the potential for enhanced returns on future capital growth, strengthened alignment of interests between management and stockholders and the potential to attract new institutional investors.

On July 11, 2024, we received a letter from counsel to the Manager informing us that it is the Manager's position that no termination of the Management Agreement may be declared based on an Internalization Event absent the agreement of the Manager, no Internalization Event has occurred and, as a result of our July 9, 2024 announcement, the contractual termination fee in the amount of approximately $18.4 million is due. On July 17, 2024, counsel to the special committee responded to the Manager and denied the assertions made by the Manager's counsel and explained that the Internalization Event would not require the payment of a termination fee pursuant to the plain terms of the Management Agreement. The Manager has not responded to the July 17, 2024 letter sent by counsel to the special committee and, at this time, it is not known whether this matter will result in litigation. Should this matter result in litigation, the Company intends to vigorously contest this matter.

Our ability to execute the smooth and timely transition of all functions necessary to operate our business and to fully and timely realize the anticipated benefits of the Internalization is subject to various risks. Certain risks that may adversely impact the process include: the inability to successfully retain our senior management team and other personnel who currently support our business and operations; unforeseen or higher than anticipated expenses following the transition; potential disruptions to our ordinary course operations, financing relationships and internal procedures; and the diversion of management’s attention caused by the Internalization and the transition process. The failure to manage the transition process efficiently and effectively, including the failure to transition services or retain our dedicated personnel, could result in the anticipated benefits of the Internalization not being realized.

The Management Agreement requires the Company and the Manager to terminate the Management Agreement without payment of any termination fee pursuant to the consummation of an Internalization Event (as defined in the Management Agreement). Disputes, if any, between the Company and the Manager over the express terms of the Management Agreement could divert management’s attention from operating the Company’s business, impact the timing of the Company’s plan to internalize management and become a self-managed company and result in the Company’s payment of a termination fee to the Manager if we are required to pay a termination fee. Payment of a termination fee to the Manager could have a material and adverse impact on our liquidity position and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

There is no guarantee that members of our senior management team and other personnel will be employed by us following the termination of the Management Agreement.

We currently depend on our Manager through the Services Provider to provide us with our executives and employees to administer our business activities and day-to-day operations. Following the termination of the Management Agreement, we expect to retain and continue to be managed by our senior management team along with the other personnel currently providing services to us. While we intend to extend offers of employment to our current personnel, there can be no assurance that all such personnel will accept employment with us. As is presently the case under the Management Agreement, the departure or the loss of the services of members of our senior management team or other personnel, whether as a result of or following the Internalization and our transition to a self-managed company, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to effectively operate our business and make distributions to our stockholders.

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We may be exposed to risks to which we have not historically been exposed.

Our transition to a self-managed company will expose us to risks to which we have not historically been exposed. As a result of the Internalization, we will become a direct employer, and we will be subject to potential liabilities commonly faced by employers, such as workers’ disability and compensation claims, potential labor disputes and other employee-related liabilities and grievances. We will also bear the responsibility for implementing and maintaining health, retirement, and similar benefit plans for our employees. There may also be other unforeseen costs, expenses, responsibilities and difficulties associated with operating as a self-managed company.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the repurchase of our outstanding shares of Series A and Series B preferred stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

Pending these uses, we intend to maintain the net offering proceeds in interest-bearing, short-term, marketable investment grade securities or (interest or non-interest bearing) checking (or escrow) accounts or money market accounts that are consistent with our intention to maintain our qualification as a REIT. These investments may include, for example, government securities other than agency securities, certificates of deposit and interest-bearing bank deposits. These investments are expected to provide a lower net return than we will seek to achieve from our targeted assets.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Pursuant to the Sales Agreements, we may, at any time and from time to time, offer and sell up to $150.0 million in shares of our common stock through the Agents, as our agents for the offer and sale of the shares. Prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, we issued and sold an aggregate of $95,224,253 million in shares of our common stock through the Agents. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus covers the offer and sale of up to $54,775,747 in shares of our common stock, which is the amount that remains available for sale through the Agents pursuant to the Sales Agreements as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement. These shares may be offered and sold from time to time through the Agents pursuant to the Sales Agreements. Any such sales may be made by any method permitted by law that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

Upon acceptance of written instructions from us, the Agents will use commercially reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices to sell shares of our common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreements. We will instruct the Agents as to the number of shares of our common stock to be sold. We may instruct the Agents not to sell shares of our common stock if the sale cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any instruction. We may suspend the offering of our common stock upon proper notice and subject to other conditions.

The Agents have agreed to provide written confirmation of any sales to us no later than the opening of the trading day on the NYSE immediately following the trading day on which shares of our common stock were sold under the Sales Agreements. Each confirmation will include the number of shares sold on the preceding day, the net proceeds to us and the compensation payable by us to the Agents in connection with the sales.

We will pay the Agents commissions for their services in acting as agents in the sale of our common stock offered hereby. Under the Sales Agreements, the Agents will be entitled to compensation equal to 2.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of shares sold through them as our agents. In addition, we have agreed to pay the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents incurred in connection with the Sales Agreements and this offering, in an amount not to exceed $75,000. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to the Agents under the terms of the Sales Agreements, will be approximately $200,000.

Settlement of sales of our common stock will occur on the trading day immediately following the date on which such sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and an Agent in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement. Sales of our common stock, if any, as contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the Agents may agree upon.

In connection with this offering, the Agents will, with respect to sales effected in an “at the market offering,” be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Agents may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify the Agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the Agents may be required to make because of those liabilities.

The offering of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreements will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of all our common stock subject to the Sales Agreements, or (2) termination of the Sales Agreements. The Sales Agreements may be terminated by the Agents or us, each in its sole discretion, at any time by giving ten days’ notice.

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The Agents or their affiliates have in the past and may continue to provide investment banking and advisory services for us and/or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Mayer Brown LLP, and certain matters of Maryland law have been passed upon for us by Venable LLP. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Agents by Cozen O’Connor P.C.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation appearing in Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation ‘s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PROSPECTUS

$300,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Rights

Units

We may from time to time offer, in one or more classes or series, separately or together, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, the following securities:

• shares of our common stock;

• shares of our preferred stock;

• warrants to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock;

• rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock; and

• units consisting of two or more of the foregoing.

We refer to the common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights and units collectively as the “securities” in this prospectus. The securities will have a maximum aggregate offering price of $300,000,000.

The specific terms of each class or series of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and may include restrictions on ownership and transfer of the securities, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of our company as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other purposes. The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about certain additional material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the securities described in such prospectus supplement and any listing on a securities exchange.

The securities may be offered directly by us from time to time through agents designated by us or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such class or series of securities.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), under the symbol “CHMI.” On August 5, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $3.59 per share. Our 8.20% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and our 8.250% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbols “CHMI-PRA” and “CHMI-PRB,” respectively.

Investing in the securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is August 26, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
CHERRY HILL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORPORATION	2
RISK FACTORS	3
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	4
USE OF PROCEEDS	6
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	7
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK	9
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	11
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS	12
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	13
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS	14
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER	19
BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES	22
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS	23
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	53
LEGAL MATTERS	56
EXPERTS	57
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	58
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC	59

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may from time to time offer, in one or more classes or series, separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock, rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock and units consisting of two or more of the foregoing. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $300,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer at any time, from time to time, in one or more offerings and the general manner in which the securities may be offered. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of the securities we are offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read carefully this entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein that we have referred you to below under the caption “Incorporation of Information We File With the SEC,” before making an investment decision.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you must not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of the securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” refer to Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, references to “our operating partnership” refer to Cherry Hill Operating Partnership, LP and references to “our Manager” refer to Cherry Hill Mortgage Management, LLC.

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CHERRY HILL MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

We are a publicly traded residential real estate finance company focused on acquiring, investing in and managing residential mortgage assets in the United States. We were incorporated in Maryland on October 31, 2012, and we commenced operations on October 9, 2013 following the completion of our initial public offering. Our common stock, our 8.20% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (our “Series A Preferred Stock”) and our 8.250% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, (our “Series B Preferred Stock”) are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbols “CHMI,” “CHMI-PRA” and “CHMI-PRB,” respectively.

We conduct substantially all of our operations through our operating partnership, Cherry Hill Operating Partnership, LP, and its subsidiaries, including CHMI Sub-REIT, Inc., or our Sub-REIT. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership.

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2013 and our Sub-REIT has elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. We believe that we and our Sub-REIT have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and we believe that our and our Sub-REIT’s current organization and intended manner of operation will enable us and our Sub-REIT to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as REITs. As REITs, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. We operate our business in a manner that permits us to maintain an exclusion or exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act.

Our principal objective is to generate attractive current yields and risk-adjusted total returns for our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividend distributions and secondarily through capital appreciation. We attempt to attain this objective by selectively constructing and actively managing a portfolio of servicing-related assets, consisting of mortgage servicing rights, or MSRs, on residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage-backed securities. Subject to market conditions, we may also invest in prime residential mortgage loans and other cashflowing residential mortgage assets.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1451 Route 34, Suite 303, Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727, and our telephone number is (877) 870-7005. The offices of our Manager are located at 907 Pleasant Valley Avenue, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054. Our website is www.chmireit.com. Our website and the information contained at or connected to our website do not constitute a part of this prospectus.

We are externally managed by Cherry Hill Mortgage Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Our Manager is a party to a services agreement with Freedom Mortgage Corporation, or Freedom Mortgage. On July 9, 2024, we announced that the special committee of our board of directors, which committee is comprised entirely of independent and disinterested members of the board, after consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors and as part of the special committee’s previously announced exploration of strategic alternatives, determined and recommended to the board of directors that it is advisable and in our and our stockholders’ best interests to internalize our management, terminate the management agreement with the Manager (the “Management Agreement”) and the Manager and take all steps necessary to begin operating as a fully integrated, internally managed mortgage REIT (the “Internalization”). Following such recommendation from the special committee, our board of directors authorized and approved the Internalization and authorized and directed our officers to take all actions necessary to cause us to effect the Internalization.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the securities described in this prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider any specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the risk factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Although we discuss key risks in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, new risks may emerge in the future, which may prove to be significant. Our subsequent filings with the SEC may contain amended and updated discussions of significant risks. We cannot predict future risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or a part of your investment in the securities we are offering.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain or will contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When we use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ from our beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking:

• our investment objectives and business strategy;

• our ability to complete our planned Internalization and terminate the Management Agreement with our Manager;

• our ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity and debt securities and to invest the net proceeds of any such offering in the target assets, if any, identified at the time of the offering;

• our ability to obtain future financing arrangements and refinance existing financing arrangements as they mature;

• our expected leverage;

• our expected investments and the timing thereof;

• our ability to acquire servicing-related assets and mortgage and real estate-related securities;

• estimates and statements relating to, and our ability to make, future distributions to holders of the securities;

• our ability to compete in the marketplace;

• market, industry and economic trends;

• recent market developments and actions taken and to be taken by the U.S. Government, the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

• mortgage loan modification programs and future legislative actions;

• the Federal Reserve’s potential changes in interest rates;

• our and our Sub-REIT’s ability to qualify and maintain qualifications as REITs under the Code and limitations on our business due to compliance with requirements for maintaining such qualifications as REITs under the Code;

• our ability to maintain our exclusion from regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, or otherwise not fall within those definitions;

• projected capital and operating expenditures;

• availability of qualified personnel; and

• projected prepayment and/or default rates.

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Our beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or are within our control. If any such change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may cause our actual results, performance, liquidity or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements include:

• the factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the factor discussed under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023;

• general volatility of the capital markets;

• inflationary trends could result in further interest rate increases or sustained higher interest rates for longer than expected periods of time, which could lead to increased market volatility;

• changes in our investment objectives and business strategy;

• availability, terms and deployment of capital;

• availability of suitable investment opportunities;

• our ability to operate our licensed mortgage servicing subsidiary and oversee the activities of such subsidiary;

• our ability to manage various operational and regulatory risks associated with our business;

• disputes, if any, between us and the Manager over the express terms of the Management Agreement could impact the timing of our planned Internalization and the termination of the Management Agreement and could increase our cost to complete such actions;

• changes in our assets, interest rates or the general economy;

• increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on our investments, including as a result of the effects of more severe weather and changes in traditional weather patterns;

• changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, the yield curve, prepayment rates or recapture rates;

• limitations on our business due to compliance with requirements for maintaining our and our Sub-REIT’s qualifications as REITs under the Code and our exclusion from regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act (or of otherwise not falling within those definitions);

• the degree and nature of our competition, including competition for the residential mortgage assets in which we invest; and

• other risks associated with acquiring, investing in and managing residential mortgage assets.

These and other forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, those described in any accompanying prospectus supplement under the caption “Risk Factors.” Other risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are summarized below and described from time to time in reports we file with the SEC, including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities to fund our business and investment activity, which may include acquiring residential mortgage assets for our investment portfolio consistent with our investment strategy, as well as for other general corporate purposes, which may include repaying indebtedness.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following summary of the material terms of our common stock does not purport to be complete. For a complete description, we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, and to our charter and bylaws. For a more complete understanding of our common stock, we encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, as well as our charter and bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

General

Our charter provides that we have authority to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for a corporation’s debts or obligations solely as a result of their status as stockholders.

Distribution, Liquidation and Other Rights

Subject to the preferential rights, if any, of holders of any other class or series of our stock, including our Series A Preferred Stock and our Series B Preferred Stock, and to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive distributions if, when and as authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for distribution.

Holders of shares of our common stock generally have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of our company. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, all holders of our common stock will have equal liquidation and other rights.

Voting Rights

Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of our stock, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as may be provided with respect to any other class or series of our stock, the holders of shares of our common stock will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors, and directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election of directors.

Power to Classify and Reclassify Unissued Stock

Our board of directors may classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into other classes or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of stock that have priority over our common stock with respect to voting rights or distributions or upon liquidation, and authorize us to issue the newly classified shares. Prior to the issuance of shares of any class or series of classified or reclassified shares, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series. These actions can be taken without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our stock may be then listed or quoted.

Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Stock

Our charter authorizes our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of our entire board of directors and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of authorized shares of stock of any class or series. We believe that the power of our board of directors to amend our charter to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify any unissued shares of our preferred stock or to reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us

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with flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. The additional classes or series, as well as the additional shares of common stock or preferred stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may then be listed or quoted. Although our board of directors does not presently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of holders of our common stock.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

To assist us in qualifying as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, our charter generally limits beneficial and constructive ownership of our shares by any person to no more than 9.0% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our stock. In addition, our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our common stock. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CHMI.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description sets forth certain general terms of the preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any class or series of preferred stock we may offer, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement. This description and the description contained in any prospectus supplement are not complete and are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the MGCL and our charter and bylaws. Copies of our charter and bylaws are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

General

Our charter provides that we have authority to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 2,781,635 shares are classified as shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and 1,604,103 shares are classified as shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Our charter authorizes our board of directors, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter by a majority vote of the entire board of directors to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for a corporation’s debts or obligations solely as a result of their status as stockholders.

Subject to the limitations prescribed by the MGCL and our charter and bylaws, our board of directors is authorized to establish the number of shares constituting each class or series of our preferred stock and to set the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series.

The prospectus supplement relating to the class or series of preferred stock offered thereby will describe the specific terms of such preferred stock, including, among other things:

• the designation of the class or series of preferred stock;

• the number of shares, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the preferred stock;

• the distribution rate(s), period(s) and/or payment day(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to the preferred stock;

• whether distributions will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which distributions on the preferred stock will accumulate;

• the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock;

• the voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

• the provision for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock;

• the provision for, and any restrictions on, redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock;

• the provision for, and any restrictions on, repurchase, if applicable, of the preferred stock;

• the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock may or will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price, manner of calculation thereof and conversion period;

• the terms under which the rights of the preferred stock may be modified, if applicable;

• the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

• any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior or equal to the series of preferred stock being offered as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs;

• any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;

• if appropriate, a discussion of additional material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

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• in addition to the restrictions described below, any other restrictions on ownership and transfer of the preferred stock; and

• any other specific terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the preferred stock.

In addition to any other class or series of preferred stock that we may offer, issue or sell pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, we have previously issued shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.

Series A Preferred Stock

We may reopen this series and issue additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to our common stock with respect to distribution rights and rights upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and on parity with our Series B Preferred Stock. In addition to other preferential rights, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a liquidation preference, which is equal to $25.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, before the holders of our common stock receive any distributions in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company. Furthermore, we are generally restricted from declaring or paying any distributions, or setting aside any funds for the payment of distributions, on our common stock or, subject to certain exceptions, redeeming or otherwise acquiring shares of our common stock unless full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock have been declared and either paid or set aside for payment in full for all past periods. The Series A Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CHMI-PrA.” The transfer agent and registrar for the Series A Preferred Stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Series B Preferred Stock

We may reopen this series and issue additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to our common stock with respect to distribution rights and rights upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and on parity with our Series A Preferred Stock. In addition to other preferential rights, each holder of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a liquidation preference, which is equal to $25.00 per share of Series B Preferred Stock plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, before the holders of our common stock receive any distributions in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company. Furthermore, we are generally restricted from declaring or paying any distributions, or setting aside any funds for the payment of distributions, on our common stock or, subject to certain exceptions, redeeming or otherwise acquiring shares of our common stock unless full cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been declared and either paid or set aside for payment in full for all past periods. The Series B Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CHMI-PrB.” The transfer agent and registrar for the Series B Preferred Stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

To assist us in qualifying as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, our charter generally limits beneficial and constructive ownership of our shares by any person to no more than 9.0% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our stock. In addition, our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock, including any shares of our preferred stock. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for each class or series of our preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description sets forth certain general terms of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the warrants we may offer, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

General

We may offer warrants for the purchase of shares of common stock or preferred stock. We may issue warrants separately or together with any other securities offered pursuant to this prospectus, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such warrants. The warrant agent will act solely for us in connection with the warrants and will not act for or on behalf of any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The warrant agreement and the form of warrant certificate relating to each series of warrants will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement are being delivered:

• the title of the warrants;

• the aggregate number of warrants;

• the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

• the currencies in which the price or prices of the warrants may be payable;

• the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

• the designation and terms of the other securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

• if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

• the price or prices at which, and currency or currencies in which, the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

• the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which such right will expire;

• the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

• information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

• information with respect to the listing of the warrants on any securities exchange, if applicable;

• if appropriate, a discussion of any additional material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the warrants; and

• any other material terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

Holders of warrants will be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer in our charter. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

The following description sets forth certain general terms of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the rights we may offer, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

General

We may issue rights to our stockholders for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of the rights. The rights agreement and the form of rights certificates relating to each series of rights will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the rights in respect of which this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement are being delivered:

• the date for determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

• the aggregate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights and the exercise price;

• the designation and terms of the preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights, if applicable,

• the aggregate number of rights being issued;

• the date, if any, on and after which the rights may be transferable separately;

• the date on which the right to exercise such rights shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

• any listing of the rights and the shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights on any securities exchange;

• if appropriate, a discussion of any additional material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the rights; and

• any other material terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of such rights.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

Holders of rights will be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer in our charter. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description sets forth certain general terms of the units to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the units we may offer, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

General

We may issue units consisting of two or more of the securities described in this prospectus in any combination. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferrable only as, a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units. The form of unit agreement and the form of unit certificate for each series of units will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the units in respect of which this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement are being delivered:

• the terms of the units and the securities constituting the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities constituting the units may be traded separately or listed on any securities exchange;

• the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

• if appropriate, a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

• the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

Holders of units will be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer in our charter. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and our charter and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the MGCL and to our charter and bylaws. Copies of our charter and bylaws are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Our Board of Directors

Our charter provides that the number of our directors will not be less than the minimum number required under the MGCL, which is one, and may be increased or decreased pursuant to our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board may increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number of directors shall never be less than the minimum required by the MGCL nor more than 15. Subject to the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies. Each member of our board of directors is elected by our stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Holders of shares of our common stock have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors, and directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election of directors.

Removal of Directors

Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of our preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. “Cause” is defined in our charter, with respect to any particular director, as the conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to us through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty. This provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of our board of directors to fill vacant directorships, may preclude stockholders from removing incumbent directors except for cause and by a substantial affirmative vote and filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.

Business Combinations

Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (i.e., any person (other than the corporation or any subsidiary) who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock, or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock) or an affiliate of an interested stockholder, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (1) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (2) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. The board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by it.

As permitted by the MGCL, our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination between us and any other person, provided that the business combination is first approved by our

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board of directors (including a majority of directors who are not affiliates or associates of such persons). However, our board of directors may repeal or modify this resolution at any time in the future, in which case the applicable provisions of this statute will become applicable to business combinations between us and interested stockholders.

Control Share Acquisitions

The MGCL provides that holders of “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter with respect to such shares, excluding votes cast by (1) the person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (2) an officer of the corporation or (3) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. “Control shares” are voting shares of stock of the corporation which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock of the corporation previously acquired by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise, directly or indirectly, voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (1) one-tenth or more but less than one-third, (2) one-third or more but less than a majority or (3) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply to, among other things: (1) shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (2) acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any acquisition by any person of shares of our stock; however, our board of directors may repeal such bylaw provision, in whole or in part, at any time. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act

Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions of the MGCL which provide, respectively, that:

• the corporation’s board of directors will be divided into three classes;

• the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders generally in the election of directors is required to remove a director;

• the number of directors may be fixed only by vote of the directors;

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• a vacancy on the board of directors may be filled only by the remaining directors and that directors elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and

• the request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting is required for stockholders to require the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

Without our having elected to be subject to Subtitle 8, our charter and bylaws already (1) require the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors to remove a director from our board of directors, (2) vest in our board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directors, by vote of a majority of our entire board of directors, and (3) require, unless called by the Chairman of our board of directors, our Chief Executive Officer, our President or our board of directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders. We have elected by provision in our charter to be subject to the provisions of Subtitle 8 relating to the filling of vacancies. Our board of directors is not currently classified. In the future, our board of directors may elect, without stockholder approval, to classify our board of directors or elect to be subject to any of the other provisions of Subtitle 8.

Charter Amendments and Extraordinary Transactions

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, convert, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless such action is declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s charter. Our charter generally provides that charter amendments requiring stockholder approval must be declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, our charter’s provisions regarding the removal of directors and restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, and amendments to the vote required to amend these provisions, may be amended only if such amendment is declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. In addition, we generally may not merge with or convert into another company, sell all or substantially all of our assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless such transaction is declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, because operating assets may be held by a corporation’s subsidiaries, as in our situation, this may mean that one of our subsidiaries could transfer all of its assets without any vote of our stockholders.

Bylaw Amendments

Pursuant to our charter, our board of directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by our stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting on the election of the individual so nominated or on such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws, including a requirement to provide certain information about the stockholder and its affiliates and the nominee or business proposal, as applicable.

With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (1) by or at the direction of our board

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of directors or (2) provided that the special meeting has been properly called for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws, including a requirement to provide certain information about the stockholder and its affiliates and the nominee.

Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

Our charter and bylaws and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders, including supermajority vote and cause requirements for removal of directors, provisions that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the remaining directors, for the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred, the power of our board of directors to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock, to cause us to issue additional shares of stock of any class or series and to fix the terms of one or more classes or series of stock without stockholder approval, the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and advance notice requirements for director nominations and stockholder proposals. Likewise, if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL or the resolution of our board of directors opting out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL were repealed or rescinded, or if a business combination was not first approved by our board of directors, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

Limitation of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability and Indemnification

The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

The MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

• the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

• the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

• in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by such director or officer, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon its receipt of:

• a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

• a written undertaking by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct.

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Our charter authorizes us and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of such a proceeding to:

• any present or former director or officer of our company who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; and

• any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

Our charter and bylaws also permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual who served our predecessor in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or our predecessor.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and advancement by us of expenses and costs relating to certain claims, suits or proceedings arising from their service to us.

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

REIT Qualification

Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

In order to qualify as a REIT under the Code for each taxable year, our shares of stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. In addition, no more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the second half of any calendar year.

Because our board of directors believes it is at present essential for us to qualify as a REIT, our charter provides that, subject to certain exceptions, no person or entity may beneficially or constructively own more than 9.0% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our stock, excluding any outstanding shares of our stock not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes, or the ownership limit. In addition, our charter provides that Stanley Middleman, who owns and controls Freedom Mortgage, may beneficially or constructively own up to 13.5% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our stock.

Our charter also prohibits any person from:

• beneficially owning shares of our stock to the extent such beneficial ownership would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year);

• transferring shares of our stock to the extent such transfer would result in our shares of stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 stockholders (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code); and

• beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent that such beneficial or constructive ownership would otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code.

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer, or who is the intended transferee of shares of our stock which are transferred to the trust (as described below), will be required to give written notice immediately to us or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, to give at least 15 days’ prior written notice, and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify or to continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, or that compliance with the restrictions on ownership and transfer is no longer required for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code.

Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a person from certain of the restrictions described above and may establish or increase an excepted holder limit for such person. The person seeking an exemption must provide to our board of directors any such representations, covenants and undertakings as our board of directors may deem appropriate in order to conclude that granting the exemption and/or establishing or increasing an excepted holder limit, as the case may be, will not cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code. Our board of directors may also require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the board of directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine that granting the exemption will not cause us to lose our qualification as a REIT under the Code. In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating an excepted holder limit or at any other time, our board of directors may from time to time increase or decrease the ownership limit, except that a decreased ownership limit will not be effective for any person whose ownership of our stock exceeds the decreased ownership limit at the time of the decrease until the person’s ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, although any further acquisition of our stock in excess of the decreased ownership limit will violate the decreased ownership limit. Our board of directors may not increase or decrease any ownership limit if the new ownership limit would allow five or fewer individuals (including certain entities) to beneficially own more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock.

If shares of our stock are certificated, all such certificates will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above (or a declaration that we will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge).

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Any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in a violation of the foregoing restrictions, will cause the number of shares of stock causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in such shares, except that any transfer that, if effective, would result in the violation of the restriction relating to shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be void ab initio. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day (as defined in our charter) prior to the date of the transfer. If, for any reason, the transfer to the trust would not be effective to prevent the violation of the foregoing restrictions, our charter provides that the purported transfer in violation of the restrictions will be void ab initio. Shares of our stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares of stock. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of stock held in the trust, will have no rights to distributions and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of stock held in the trust. The proposed transferee will have no claims, courses of action, or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such stock.

The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to distributions with respect to shares of stock held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any distribution paid to the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trust must be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any distribution paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, the trustee will have the authority (at the trustee’s sole discretion) to (i) rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and (ii) recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.

Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of our stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the above ownership and transfer limitations. Upon such sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows. The proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (for example, a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price (as defined in our charter) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (ii) the price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares (net of any commissions and other expenses). Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the proposed transferee by the amount of distributions paid to the proposed transferee and owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee. If, prior to our discovery that shares of our stock have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then (i) the shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (ii) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount the proposed transferee was entitled to receive, the excess must be paid to the trustee upon demand.

In addition, shares of our stock held in the trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, if the event that resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of the shares of our stock at market price, for example, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price of the shares of our stock on the day of the event causing these shares to be held in trust) and (ii) the market price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, the offer, which we may reduce by the amount of distributions paid to the proposed transferee and owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee. We may pay the amount of such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and any distributions held by the trustee will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

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Our charter provides that to the extent we incur any tax under the Code as the result of any “excess inclusion income” of ours being allocated to a “disqualified organization” that holds our stock in record name, we shall reduce distributions to such stockholder in an amount equal to such tax paid by us that is attributable to such stockholder’s ownership in accordance with applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations. While we do not currently expect to make investments or engage in activities that generate “excess inclusion income,” our charter does not prevent “disqualified organizations” from owning our common or preferred stock. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Taxation of Our Company” and “-Requirements for Qualification-Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income” for a discussion of “disqualified organizations” and “excess inclusion income.”

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder), in number or value, of all classes or series of our stock, including shares of our common stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock which the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each owner must also provide to us such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit. In addition, each owner of our stock must provide to us such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of our stock.

These ownership and transfer limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our securities or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

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BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

We may issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. If securities are issued in book-entry form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company is expected to serve as depositary. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depositary, who are called “participants.” Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the securities or by us if the securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to the depositary’s participants or persons that may hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) and records of the participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer a beneficial interest in a global security.

So long as the depositary for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable instrument defining the rights of a holder of the securities. Except as provided below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of a beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable instrument defining the rights of the holders of the securities.

Payments of amounts payable with respect to individual securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such securities. None of us, our officers and board members or any trustee, paying agent or security registrar for an individual series of securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for a series of securities offered by means of this prospectus or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest, distribution or other amount in respect of a permanent global security representing any of such securities, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security for such securities as shown on the records of such depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

This section summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that you, as a securityholder, may consider relevant. Mayer Brown LLP has acted as our counsel, has reviewed this summary, and is of the opinion that the discussion contained herein is accurate in all material respects. Because this section is a summary, it does not address all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular securityholders in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances, or to certain types of securityholders that are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

• insurance companies;

• tax-exempt organizations (except to the extent discussed in “-Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Stockholders” below), tax-deferred and tax-advantaged accounts;

• financial institutions or broker-dealers;

• non-U.S. individuals and non-U.S. corporations (except to the extent discussed in “-Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders” below);

• U.S. expatriates;

• persons who mark-to-market our securities;

• subchapter S corporations;

• U.S. stockholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

• regulated investment companies and REITs;

• trusts and estates;

• persons who receive our securities through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

• persons holding our securities as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;

• persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code;

• persons holding our securities through a partnership or similar pass-through entity;

• persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of applicable financial statements within the meaning of Section 451(b)(3) of the Code; and

• persons holding a 10% or more (by vote or value) beneficial interest in our capital stock.

This summary assumes that securityholders hold our securities as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which generally means as property held for investment.

The statements in this section are not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax advice. The statements in this section are based on the Code, final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS, and court decisions. The reference to IRS interpretations and practices includes the IRS practices and policies endorsed in private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to the taxpayer that receives the ruling. In each case, these sources are relied upon as they exist on the date of this discussion. Future legislation, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions could change current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of current law on which the information in this section is based. Any such change could apply retroactively. We have not received any rulings from the IRS concerning our qualification as a REIT. Accordingly, even if there is no change in the applicable law, no assurance can be provided that the statements made in the following discussion, which do not bind the IRS or the courts, will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a court if so challenged.

WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF OUR SECURITIES AND OF OUR ELECTION TO BE TAXED AS A REIT. SPECIFICALLY, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, SALE AND ELECTION, AND REGARDING POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.

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Taxation of Our Company

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code commencing with our short taxable year ended on December 31, 2013 and our Sub-REIT has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. We believe that we and our Sub-REIT have been organized and have operated in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the federal income tax laws commencing with such taxable years, and we and our Sub-REIT intend to continue to operate in such a manner, but no assurances can be given that we and our Sub-REIT will operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. This section discusses the laws governing the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its securityholders. These laws are highly technical and complex.

In the opinion of Mayer Brown LLP, we qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws for our taxable years ended on December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2023, and our organization and current and proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws for our taxable year ending December 31, 2024 and subsequent taxable years. Investors should be aware that Mayer Brown LLP’s opinion is based upon customary assumptions, is conditioned upon certain representations made by us as to factual matters, including representations regarding the nature of our assets and the conduct of our business, is not binding upon the IRS or any court and speaks as of the date issued. In addition, Mayer Brown LLP’s opinion is based on existing federal income tax law governing qualification as a REIT, which is subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual annual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal income tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that fall within specified categories, the diversity of our share ownership, and the percentage of our earnings that are distributed. Mayer Brown LLP will not review our compliance with those tests on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. Mayer Brown LLP’s opinion does not foreclose the possibility that we may have to use one or more of the REIT “savings” provisions discussed below, which could require us to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be material) in order for us to maintain our REIT qualification. For a discussion of the tax consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT, see “-Failure to Qualify.” Unless otherwise noted below, the discussion of the REIT qualification rules below applies to us.

If we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we currently distribute to our stockholders, but taxable income generated by any domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, will be subject to regular U.S. federal corporate income tax. However, even if we qualify as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:

• We will pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income, including net capital gain, that we do not distribute to stockholders during, or within a specified time period after, the calendar year in which the income is earned.

• For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2018, we may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on any items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses, that we do not distribute or allocate to our stockholders.

• We will pay income tax at the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on:

• net income from the sale or other disposition of property acquired through foreclosure, or foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business and have elected to treat as foreclosure property, and

• other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property.

• We will pay a 100% tax on net income earned from sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.

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• If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as described below under “-Gross Income Tests,” but nonetheless continue to qualify as a REIT because we meet other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on:

• the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, multiplied, in either case, by

• a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

• If we fail to satisfy the asset tests (other than a de minimis failure of the 5% asset test, the 10% vote test or the 10% value test, as described below under “-Asset Tests”), as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we dispose of the assets or otherwise comply with such asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure and we file a schedule with the IRS describing the assets that caused such failure, we will pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the product of the highest U.S. federal corporate tax rate (currently, 21%) and the net income from the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy such asset tests.

• If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and the asset tests, and the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

• We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet recordkeeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “-Requirements for Qualification.”

• If we fail to distribute during a calendar year at least the sum of: (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from earlier periods, we will pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amount we actually distributed, plus any retained amounts on which income tax has been paid at the corporate level.

• We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a U.S. stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent that we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) and would receive a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid.

• We will be subject to a 100% excise tax on transactions between us and a TRS that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis.

• The earnings of our TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

• If we acquire any asset from a C corporation (i.e., a corporation generally subject to full corporate-level tax) in a merger or other transaction in which we acquire a basis in the asset that is determined by reference either to the C corporation’s basis in the asset or to another asset, we will pay U.S. federal income tax at the highest regular corporate income tax rate applicable if we recognize gain on the sale or disposition of the asset during the 5-year period after we acquire the asset. The amount of gain on which we will pay tax is the lesser of:

• the amount of gain that we recognize at the time of the sale or disposition, and

• the amount of gain that we would have recognized if we had sold the asset at the time we acquired it, assuming that the C corporation will not elect, in lieu of this treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired.

• If we were to own a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit, or REMIC, we would be taxable at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the portion of any excess inclusion income that we derive from the REMIC residual interests equal to the percentage of our capital stock that is held in record name by “disqualified organizations.” Although the law is unclear, IRS guidance indicates that similar rules may apply to a REIT that owns an equity interest in a taxable mortgage pool. To the extent that we own a REMIC residual interest or a taxable mortgage pool through a TRS, we will not be subject to this tax. A “disqualified organization” includes: (i) the

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United States; (ii) any state or political subdivision of the United States; (iii) any foreign government; (iv) any international organization; (v) any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing; (vi) any other tax-exempt organization (other than a farmer’s cooperative described in Section 521 of the Code) that is exempt from income taxation and is not subject to taxation under the unrelated business taxable income provisions of the Code; and (vii) any rural electrical or telephone cooperative. We do not currently intend to hold REMIC residual interests, but we may engage in securitization transactions and other financing activities that may result in treatment of us or a portion of our assets as a taxable mortgage pool. For a discussion of “excess inclusion income,” see “-Requirements for Qualification-Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.”

In addition, notwithstanding our qualification as a REIT, we may also have to pay certain state and local income taxes, because not all states and localities treat REITs in the same manner that they are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Moreover, as further described below, any domestic TRS in which we own an interest will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income tax on its taxable income. In addition, we may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including state and local franchise, property and other taxes and foreign taxes. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification

A REIT is a corporation, trust, or association that meets each of the following requirements:

1.
It is managed by one or more trustees or directors.

2.
Its beneficial ownership is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest.

3.
It would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for the REIT provisions of the federal income tax laws.

4.
It is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to special provisions of the federal income tax laws.

5.
At least 100 persons are beneficial owners (determined without reference to any rules of attribution) of its shares or ownership certificates.

6.
Not more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares or ownership certificates is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, which the federal income tax laws define to include certain entities, during the last half of any taxable year.

7.
It elects to be taxed as a REIT, or has made such election for a previous taxable year, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements that must be met to elect and maintain REIT qualification.

8.
It meets certain other qualification tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and the distribution of its income.

9.
It uses the calendar year as its taxable year.

10.
It has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year.

We must meet requirements 1 through 4 and 9 during our entire taxable year and must meet requirement 5 during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Requirements 5 and 6 applied to us beginning with our 2014 taxable year and will apply to our Sub-REIT beginning with its 2021 taxable year. If we comply with all the requirements for ascertaining the ownership of our outstanding stock in a taxable year and have no reason to know that we violated requirement 6, we will be deemed to have satisfied requirement 6 for that taxable year. For purposes of determining stock ownership under requirement 6, an “individual” generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private foundation, or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes. An “individual” generally does not include a trust that is a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust under the federal income tax laws, however, and beneficiaries of such a trust will be treated as holding our stock in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for purposes of requirement 6.

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We believe that we and our Sub-REIT have issued stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy requirements 5 and 6. In addition, our charter restricts the ownership and transfer of our stock so that we should continue to satisfy these requirements. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy these stock ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy these stock ownership requirements, we may not qualify as a REIT. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership and transfer of our stock are described in “-Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.” To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by U.S. Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our stock and other information. In addition, we must satisfy all relevant filing and other administrative requirements that must be met to elect and maintain REIT status. We intend to continue to comply with these requirements.

Qualified REIT Subsidiaries

A corporation that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary” is not treated as a corporation separate from its parent REIT. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of the REIT. A qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other than a TRS, all of the shares of which is owned, directly or through one or more qualified REIT subsidiaries or disregarded entities, by the REIT. Thus, in applying the requirements described herein, any qualified REIT subsidiary that we own will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of such subsidiary will be treated as our assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit.

Other Disregarded Entities and Partnerships

An unincorporated domestic entity, such as a limited liability company, that has a single owner generally is not treated as an entity separate from its parent for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners generally is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership that has other partners, the REIT is treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and as earning its allocable share of the gross income of the partnership for purposes of the applicable REIT qualification tests. For purposes of the 10% value test (see “-Asset Tests”), our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the equity interests and certain debt securities issued by the partnership. For all of the other asset and income tests, our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the capital interests in the partnership. Our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, and items of income of any partnership, joint venture, or limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which we acquire an interest, directly or indirectly, will be treated as our assets and gross income for purposes of applying the various REIT qualification requirements.

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly-owned-for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours-the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total value or total voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See “-Asset Tests” and “-Gross Income Tests.”

We have control of our operating partnership and generally intend to control any subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, and we intend to operate them in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. We may from time to time be a limited partner or non-managing member in some of our partnerships and limited liability companies. As discussed in more detail below under “-Tax Aspects of Our Investments in Our Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships,” if a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that

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a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were able to qualify for a statutory REIT “savings” provision, which could require us to pay a significant penalty tax to maintain our REIT qualification.

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

A REIT is permitted to own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A TRS is a fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. The subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation with respect to which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the outstanding securities will automatically be treated as a TRS. However, an entity will not qualify as a TRS if it directly or indirectly operates or manages a lodging or health care facility or, generally, provides to another person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated. We generally may not own more than 10%, as measured by voting power or value, of the securities of a corporation that is not a qualified REIT subsidiary or a REIT unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% (25% for taxable years before January 1, 2018) of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs.

The separate existence of a TRS, unlike a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a domestic TRS will generally be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce our overall cash flow and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or as receiving any income that the TRS earns. Rather, the stock issued by the TRS is an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT generally recognizes as income the dividends, if any, that it receives from the TRS to the extent of the TRS’s earnings and profits. This treatment can affect the gross income and asset test calculations that apply to the REIT, as described below. Because a parent REIT does not include the assets and income of its TRSs in determining the parent REIT’s compliance with the REIT requirements, TRSs may be used by the parent REIT to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude it from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries or render commercially unfeasible (for example, activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as non-qualifying hedging income or inventory sales).

Several provisions of the Code regarding the arrangements between a REIT and its TRSs ensure that a TRS will be subject to an appropriate level of U.S. federal income taxation. For example, deductions are disallowed for business interest expense (even if paid to third parties) in excess of the sum of a taxpayer’s business interest income and 30% of the adjusted taxable income of the business, which is its taxable income computed without regard to business interest income or expense, net operating losses or the pass-through income deduction (and for taxable years before 2022, excludes depreciation and amortization). Such limitations may also impact the amount of U.S. federal income tax paid by our TRSs. Accordingly, if we lend money to a TRS, the TRS may be unable to deduct all or a part of the interest paid on that loan, and the lack of an interest deduction could result in a material increase in the amount of tax paid by the TRS. Further, the TRS rules impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT, such as intercompany loans, or the REIT’s tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s length basis. We intend to scrutinize all of our transactions with our TRSs and to conduct such transactions on an arm’s-length basis; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.

We and our Sub-REIT have made TRS elections with respect to certain subsidiaries and we and our Sub-REIT may form or invest in additional domestic or foreign TRSs in the future. To the extent that our TRSs pay any taxes, they will have less cash available for distribution to us. If dividends are paid by domestic TRSs to us, then the dividends we designate and pay to our stockholders who are taxed at individual rates, up to the amount of dividends that we receive from such entities, generally will be eligible to be taxed at the reduced 20% maximum federal rate applicable to qualified dividend income. See “-Taxation of U.S. Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders on Distributions on Capital Stock.”

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Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income

An entity, or a portion of an entity, may be classified as a taxable mortgage pool under the Code if:

• substantially all of its assets consist of debt obligations or interests in debt obligations;

• more than 50% of those debt obligations are real estate mortgage loans or interests in real estate mortgage loans as of specified testing dates;

• the entity has issued debt obligations that have two or more maturities; and

• the payments required to be made by the entity on its debt obligations “bear a relationship” to the payments to be received by the entity on the debt obligations that it holds as assets.

Under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, if less than 80% of the assets of an entity (or a portion of an entity) consist of debt obligations, these debt obligations are not considered to comprise “substantially all” of its assets, and therefore the entity would not be treated as a taxable mortgage pool.

A taxable mortgage pool generally is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and it cannot be included in any consolidated U.S. federal corporate income tax return. However, if a REIT is a taxable mortgage pool, or if a REIT owns a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool, the taxable mortgage pool is not treated as a corporation and does not directly affect the status of the REIT. Rather, a portion of the REIT’s income will be treated as “excess inclusion income” and a portion of the dividends the REIT pays to its stockholders will be considered to be excess inclusion income. Similarly, a portion of the income from a REMIC residual interest may be treated as excess inclusion income. A stockholder’s share of excess inclusion income (i) would not be allowed to be offset by any losses otherwise available to the stockholder, (ii) would be subject to tax as unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI, in the hands of most types of stockholders that are otherwise generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax, and (iii) would result in the application of U.S. federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (30%), without reduction under any otherwise applicable income tax treaty, to the extent allocable to most types of foreign stockholders. IRS guidance indicates that a REIT’s excess inclusion income will be allocated among its stockholders in proportion to its dividends paid. However, the manner in which excess inclusion income would be allocated to dividends attributable to a tax year that are not paid until a subsequent tax year or to dividends attributable to a portion of a tax year when no excess inclusion income-generating assets were held or how such income is to be reported to stockholders is not clear under current law. Although the law is unclear, the IRS has taken the position that a REIT is taxable at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the portion of any excess inclusion income that it derives from an equity interest in a taxable mortgage pool equal to the percentage of its stock that is held in record name by “disqualified organizations” (as defined above under “-Taxation of Our Company”).

If as a result of ownership by “disqualified organizations,” we are subject to tax on any excess inclusion income, under our charter, we will reduce distributions to such stockholders by the amount of tax paid by us that is attributable to such stockholder’s ownership. U.S. Treasury regulations provide that such a reduction in distributions does not give rise to a preferential dividend that could adversely affect our compliance with the distribution requirement. See “-Distribution Requirements.” To the extent that capital stock owned by “disqualified organizations” is held by a broker/dealer or other nominee, the broker/dealer or other nominees would be liable for a tax at the highest corporate tax rate on the portion of our excess inclusion income allocable to the capital stock held by the broker/dealer or other nominee on behalf of the “disqualified organizations.” A regulated investment company or other pass-through entity owning our capital stock will be subject to tax at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on any excess inclusion income allocated to its record name owners that are “disqualified organizations.” We do not currently intend to hold REMIC residual interests (other than through a TRS), but we may engage in securitization transactions and other financing activities that may result in treatment of us or a portion of our assets as a taxable mortgage pool.

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Gross Income Tests

We must satisfy two gross income tests annually to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT.

First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of defined types of income that we derive, directly or indirectly, from investments relating to real property or mortgage loans on real property or qualified temporary investment income. Qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test generally includes:

• rents from real property;

• interest on debt secured by a mortgage on real property or on interests in real property;

• dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, shares in other REITs;

• gain from the sale of real estate assets, other than:

• property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business; and

• debt instruments issued by “publicly offered REITs” (i.e., REITs that are required to file annual and periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act), unless the debt instrument is secured by real property or an interest in real property;

• income derived from the operation of, and gain derived from the sale of, foreclosure property (as described below);

• income derived from a REMIC in proportion to the real estate assets held by the REMIC, unless at least 95% of the REMIC’s assets are real estate assets, in which case all of the income derived from the REMIC;

• amounts (other than amounts the determination of which depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person) received or accrued as consideration for entering into agreements to make loans secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property or to purchase or lease real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property); and

• income derived from the temporary investment of new capital that is attributable to the issuance of our stock or a public offering of our debt with a maturity date of at least five years and that we receive during the one-year period beginning on the date on which we received such new capital.

Second, in general, at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, other types of interest and dividends, gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities or any combination of these. Certain income items do not qualify for either gross income test. Other types of income are excluded from both the numerator and the denominator in one or both of the gross income tests. For example, gross income from the sale of property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, income and gain from “hedging transactions,” as defined in “-Hedging Transactions,” and gross income attributable to cancellation of indebtedness, or “COD,” are excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. In addition, certain foreign currency gains will be excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. See “-Foreign Currency Gain.” For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, we are treated as receiving our proportionate share of our operating partnership’s gross income. We will monitor the amount of our non-qualifying income and will seek to manage our investment portfolio to comply at all times with the gross income tests. The following paragraphs discuss the specific application of the gross income tests to us.

Dividends

Our share of any dividends received from any corporation (including our TRSs, but excluding any REIT) in which we own an equity interest will qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Our share of any dividends received from any other REIT in which we own an equity interest, including our Sub-REIT, will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests.

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Interest

The term “interest,” as defined for purposes of both gross income tests, generally excludes any amount that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, interest generally includes the following:

• an amount that is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales; and

• an amount that is based on the income or profits of a debtor, as long as the debtor derives substantially all of its income from the real property securing the debt from leasing substantially all of its interest in the property, and only to the extent that the amounts received by the debtor would be qualifying “rents from real property” if received directly by a REIT.

If a loan contains a provision that entitles a REIT to a percentage of the borrower’s gain upon the sale of the real property securing the loan or a percentage of the appreciation in the property’s value as of a specific date, income attributable to that loan provision will be treated as gain from the sale of the property securing the loan, which generally is qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests, provided that the property is not inventory or dealer property in the hands of the borrower or the REIT.

Interest on debt secured by a mortgage on real property or on interests in real property, including, for this purpose, market discount, original issue discount, discount points, prepayment penalties, loan assumption fees, and late payment charges that are not compensation for services, generally is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, if the loan is secured by real property and other property and the highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as of (i) the date the REIT agreed to originate or acquire the loan or (ii) as discussed below, in the event of a “significant modification,” the date we modified the loan, a portion of the interest income from such loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The portion of the interest income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test will be equal to the portion of the principal amount of the loan that is not secured by real property-that is, the amount by which the loan balance exceeds the applicable value of the real estate that secures the loan. In the case of mortgage loans secured by both real property and personal property, if the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all such property securing the loan, then the personal property securing the loan will be treated as real property for purposes of determining whether the mortgage loan is a qualifying asset for the 75% asset test and the related interest income qualifies for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

We have invested in and intend to continue to invest in interests in mortgage servicing rights representing a portion of the interest payments collected from a pool of mortgage loans, net of a basic servicing fee paid to the mortgage servicer, or Excess MSRs. The IRS has issued private letter rulings to other REITs holding that Excess MSRs produce qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any income that is qualifying income for the 75% gross income test is also qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Based on those private letter rulings and other IRS guidance regarding Excess MSRs, we generally intend to treat our investments in Excess MSRs as producing qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests to the extent the underlying mortgage loans produce qualifying income for purposes of those tests, as described above. However, we do not intend to seek our own private letter ruling. Thus, the IRS could take the position that our Excess MSRs do not produce qualifying income, presumably by treating a portion of the income we receive from an Excess MSR as reasonable compensation for servicing the underlying mortgage loans. A successful challenge of our treatment of our Excess MSRs could result in our being treated as failing the 95% gross income test and possibly the 75% gross income test. If we failed one or both of those tests and qualified for the “savings” provision described below under “-Failure to Satisfy Gross Income Tests,” we would be required to pay penalty tax, which could be material, in order to maintain our REIT qualification. If we did not qualify for that “savings” provision, we would fail to qualify as a REIT. See “-Failure to Qualify.”

We have invested in and intend to continue to invest in residential mortgage-backed securities issued by a U.S. government agency (such as Ginnie Mae) or a federally chartered corporation (such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) that guarantees payments of principal and interest on mortgage-backed securities or for which such an agency guarantees payments of principal and interest, or Agency RMBS, and non-Agency RMBS. The securities in which we have invested in and intend to continue to invest in are pass-through certificates and

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collateralized mortgage obligations, or CMOs, and we may invest directly in residential mortgage loans. Other than income from derivative instruments, as described below, we expect that all of the income of our Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. In the case of RMBS treated as interests in a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans, and any residential mortgage loans that we own directly, would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is adequately secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of RMBS treated as regular interests in a REMIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest rate swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the holders of the related REMIC securities. We expect that any interest income from an RMBS that is not treated as an interest in a grantor trust or an interest in a REMIC will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. We expect that a sufficient portion of our income from our Excess MSRs, Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans will be qualifying income so that we will satisfy both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. However, there can be no assurance that we will satisfy both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

We have engaged and intend to continue to engage in forward-settling Agency RMBS transactions where the pool is “to-be-announced” (“TBAs”) as a means of investing in and financing Agency RMBS. While there is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or U.S. Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test or the qualification of gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we treat our TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and we treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, based on an opinion of counsel substantially to the effect that (i) for purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of real estate assets, and (ii) any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs should be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, it must be emphasized that the opinion of counsel is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets or income are not qualifying assets or income. In the event that such income were determined not to be qualifying for the 75% gross income test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if such income and any other non-qualifying income exceeds 25% of our gross income. See “-Failure to Qualify.”

Although we have no current intention to acquire pools comprised primarily of distressed mortgage loans, pools of residential mortgage loans we acquire likely will include some distressed mortgage loans, and we may acquire pools comprised primarily of distressed mortgage loans in the future. Revenue Procedure 2014-51 provides that the IRS will treat distressed mortgage loans acquired by a REIT that are secured by real property and other property as producing, in part, non-qualifying income for the 75% gross income test. Specifically, Revenue Procedure 2014-51 indicates that interest income on such a distressed mortgage loan will be treated as qualifying income based on the ratio of: (i) the fair market value of the real property securing the debt determined as of the date the REIT committed to acquire the loan; and (ii) the face amount of the loan (and not the purchase price or current value of the loan). The face amount of a distressed mortgage loan will typically exceed the fair market value of the real property securing the mortgage loan on the date the REIT commits to acquire the loan. To the extent we invest in distressed mortgage loans, we intend to do so in a manner consistent with maintaining our qualification as a REIT.

We may modify the term of any residential mortgage loans we acquire. Under the Code, if the terms of a loan are modified in a manner constituting a “significant modification,” such modification triggers a deemed exchange of the original loan for the modified loan. IRS Revenue Procedure 2014-51 provides a safe harbor pursuant to which we will not be required to redetermine the fair market value of the real property securing a loan for purposes of the gross income and asset tests in connection with a loan modification that is (i) occasioned by a borrower default or (ii) made at a time when we reasonably believe that the modification to

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the loan will substantially reduce a significant risk of default on the original loan. To the extent we significantly modify loans in a manner that does not qualify for that safe harbor, we will be required to redetermine the value of the real property securing the loan at the time it was significantly modified, which could result in a portion of the interest income on the loan being treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test and a portion of the value of the loan being treated as a non-qualifying asset for the 75% asset test. In determining the value of the real property securing such a loan, we generally will not obtain third-party appraisals but rather will rely on internal valuations.

We may invest opportunistically in other types of mortgage and real estate-related assets. To the extent we invest in such assets, we must do so in a manner that will enable us to satisfy the 75% and 95% gross income tests described above.

Hedging Transactions

From time to time, we will enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts and TBAs. Except to the extent provided by U.S. Treasury Regulations, income and gain from “hedging transactions” will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. A “hedging transaction” includes any transaction entered into in the normal course of our trade or business primarily to manage the risk of interest rate changes, price changes, or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets (“liability hedge”). A “hedging transaction” also includes any transaction entered into primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test (or any property which generates such income or gain). We are required to clearly identify any such hedging transaction before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into and satisfy other identification requirements. If we have entered into a qualifying hedging transaction described above, referred to as an original hedge, and a portion of the hedged indebtedness is extinguished or the related property is disposed of and in connection with such extinguishment or disposition we enter into a new clearly identified hedging transaction that would counteract the original hedge, referred to as a counteracting hedge, income from the original hedge and income from the counteracting hedge (including gain from the disposition of the original hedge and the counteracting hedge) will not be treated as gross income for purposes of the 95% and 75% gross income tests. To the extent that we hedge for other purposes, or to the extent that a portion of the hedged assets are not treated as “real estate assets” (as described below under “-Asset Tests”) or we enter into derivative transactions that are not liability hedges or we fail to satisfy the identification requirements with respect to a hedging transaction, the income from those transactions will likely be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries.

Fee Income

We anticipate deriving income from fees in certain circumstances. Fee income generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests if it is received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured by real property and the fees are not determined by income and profits. Other fees, including amounts paid in respect of an MSR as reasonable compensation for servicing the underlying mortgage loans, generally are not qualifying income for purposes of either the 75% or the 95% gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS, like other income earned by a TRS, will not be included in the REIT’s gross income for purposes of the gross income tests. Although no complete assurances can be provided, we anticipate that any fee income we will earn will be de minimis and will not impair our ability to satisfy the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

Foreign Currency Gain

Certain foreign currency gains will be excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. “Real estate foreign exchange gain” will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Real estate foreign exchange gain generally includes foreign currency gain

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attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property and certain foreign currency gain attributable to certain “qualified business units” of a REIT. “Passive foreign exchange gain” will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Passive foreign exchange gain generally includes real estate foreign exchange gain as described above, and also includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations. These exclusions for real estate foreign exchange gain and passive foreign exchange gain do not apply to foreign currency gain derived from dealing, or engaging in substantial and regular trading, in securities. Such gain is treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

Rents from Real Property

Although we have no current intention to do so, we may acquire real property or an interest therein in the future. To the extent that we acquire real property or an interest therein, rents we receive will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if the following conditions are met:

• First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. An amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded, however, from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of receipts or sales.

• Second, rents we receive from a “related party tenant” will not qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income tests unless the tenant is a TRS, at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants, the rent paid by the TRS is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space and the rent is not attributable to an increase in rent due to a modification of a lease with a “controlled TRS” (i.e., a TRS in which we own directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting power or value of the stock). A tenant is a related party tenant if the REIT, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the tenant.

• Third, if rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property.

• Fourth, we generally must not operate or manage our real property or furnish or render services to our tenants, other than through an “independent contractor” who is adequately compensated and from whom we do not derive revenue. We may, however, provide services directly to tenants if the services are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not considered to be provided for the tenants’ convenience. In addition, we may provide a minimal amount of “non-customary” services to the tenants of a property, other than through an independent contractor, as long as our income from the services does not exceed 1% of our income from the related property. Furthermore, we may own up to 100% of the stock of a TRS, which may provide customary and noncustomary services to tenants without tainting our rental income from the related properties.

Prohibited Transactions

A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net income (including foreign currency gain) derived from any sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. Any such income will be excluded from the application of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Whether a REIT holds an asset “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those related to a particular asset. We believe that none of our assets have been or will be held primarily for sale to customers and that any sales of our assets will not be in the ordinary course of our business. No assurance, however, can be given that the IRS will not successfully assert a contrary position, in which case we would be subject to the prohibited transaction tax on the sale of those assets. To the extent we intend to dispose of an asset that may be treated as held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade

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or business,” we may contribute the asset to a TRS prior to the disposition and marketing thereof. No assurance can be given that the IRS will respect the transaction by which such property is contributed to our TRS. If such transaction is not respected, then we may be treated as having engaged in a prohibited transaction, and our net income therefrom would be subject to a 100% tax. Moreover, if we securitize loans through a REMIC structure, the transaction would be treated as a sale for tax purposes and the sale may be subject to the prohibited transactions tax. As a result, if we securitize our loans in REMIC transactions, we will likely conduct those securitizations through a TRS.

Foreclosure Property

We will be subject to tax at the maximum U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on any income (including foreign currency gain) from foreclosure property, other than income that otherwise would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, less expenses directly connected with the production of that income. Gross income from foreclosure property will qualify, however, under the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Foreclosure property is any real property, including interests in real property, and any personal property incident to such real property:

• that is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid on such property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on indebtedness that such property secured;

• for which the related loan or lease was acquired by the REIT at a time when the default was not imminent or anticipated; and

• for which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property.

A REIT will not be considered, however, to have foreclosed on a property where the REIT takes control of the property as a mortgagee-in-possession and cannot receive any profit or sustain any loss except as a creditor of the mortgagor. Property generally ceases to be foreclosure property at the end of the third taxable year following the taxable year in which the REIT acquired the property, or longer if an extension is granted by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. This grace period terminates and foreclosure property ceases to be foreclosure property on the first day:

• on which a lease is entered into for the property that, by its terms, will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test (disregarding income from foreclosure property), or any amount is received or accrued, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a lease entered into on or after such day that will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test (disregarding income from foreclosure property);

• on which any construction takes place on the property, other than completion of a building or any other improvement, where more than 10% of the construction was completed before default became imminent; or

• which is more than 90 days after the day on which the REIT acquired the property and the property is used in a trade or business that is conducted by the REIT, other than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT itself does not derive or receive any income or a TRS.

Failure to Satisfy Gross Income Tests

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the gross income tests for any taxable year, we nevertheless may qualify as a REIT for that year if we qualify for relief under certain provisions of the U.S. federal income tax laws. Those relief provisions generally will be available if:

• our failure to meet those tests is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect; and

• following such failure for any taxable year, a schedule of the sources of our income is filed with the IRS in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

We cannot with certainty predict whether any failure to meet these tests will qualify for the relief provisions. If the IRS were to determine that we failed the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test because income produced by our investments in Excess MSRs is not qualifying income, it is possible that the

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IRS would not consider our position taken with respect to such income, and accordingly our failure to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances involving us, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above in “-Taxation of Our Company,” even if the relief provisions apply, we would incur a 100% tax on the gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, multiplied, in either case, by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

Asset Tests

To qualify as a REIT, we also must satisfy the following asset tests at the end of each quarter of each taxable year.

• First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets (the “75% asset test”) must consist of:

• cash or cash items, including certain receivables and investments in money market funds;

• government securities;

• interests in real property, including leaseholds and options to acquire real property and leaseholds, and personal property, to the extent such personal property is leased in connection with real property and rents attributable to such personal property are treated as “rents from real property”;

• interests in mortgage loans secured by real property;

• stock in other REITs and debt instruments of “publicly offered REITs”;

• investments in stock or debt instruments during the one-year period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or public offerings of debt with at least a five-year term;

• regular or residual interests in a REMIC, provided that, if less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC consist of assets that are qualifying real estate-related assets under the federal income tax laws, determined as if we held such assets, we will be treated as holding directly our proportionate share of the assets of such REMIC; and

• Second, of our investments not included in the 75% asset class, the value of our interest in any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets (the “5% asset test”).

• Third, of our investments not included in the 75% asset class, we may not own more than 10% of the total voting power or 10% of the total value of any one issuer’s outstanding securities (the “10% vote test” and the “10% value test,” respectively).

• Fourth, not more than 20% (25% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2018) of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more TRSs.

• Fifth, no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities of TRSs and other non-TRS taxable subsidiaries, and other assets that are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test (the “25% securities test”).

• Finally, no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by “publicly offered REITs” to the extent not secured by real property or interests in real property.

For purposes of these asset tests, we are treated as holding our proportionate share of our operating partnership’s assets. For purposes of the 5% asset test, the 10% vote test and the 10% value test, the term “securities” does not include stock in another REIT, debt of a “publicly offered REIT,” equity or debt securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary or TRS, mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities that constitute real estate assets, or equity interests in a partnership. For purposes of the 10% value test, the term “securities” does not include:

• “straight debt” securities, which is defined as a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money if (i) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, and (ii) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s

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discretion, or similar factors. “Straight debt” securities do not include any securities issued by a partnership or a corporation in which we or any “controlled TRS” hold “non-straight” debt securities that have an aggregate value of more than 1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities. However, “straight debt” securities include debt subject to the following contingencies:

• a contingency relating to the time of payment of interest or principal, as long as either (i) there is no change to the effective yield of the debt obligation, other than a change to the annual yield that does not exceed the greater of 0.25% or 5% of the annual yield, or (ii) neither the aggregate issue price nor the aggregate face amount of the issuer’s debt obligations held by us exceeds $1 million and no more than 12 months of unaccrued interest on the debt obligations can be required to be prepaid; and

• a contingency relating to the time or amount of payment upon a default or prepayment of a debt obligation, as long as the contingency is consistent with customary commercial practice;

• any loan to an individual or an estate;

• any “Section 467 rental agreement,” other than an agreement with a related party tenant;

• any obligation to pay “rents from real property”;

• certain securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity;

• any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT;

• any debt instrument of an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which we are a partner to the extent of our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership; or

• any debt instrument of an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes not described in the preceding bullet points if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income, excluding income from prohibited transactions, is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test described above in “-Gross Income Tests.”

For purposes of the 10% value test, our proportionate share of the assets of a partnership is our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, without regard to the securities described in the last two bullet points above.

We have invested and intend to continue to invest in Excess MSRs. The IRS has issued private letter rulings to other REITs holding that Excess MSRs are qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Based on those private letter rulings and other IRS guidance regarding Excess MSRs, we generally intend to treat our investments in Excess MSRs as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test to the extent the underlying mortgage loans are qualifying for purposes of such test, as described above. However, we do not intend to seek our own private letter ruling. Thus, the IRS could take the position that Excess MSRs are not qualifying assets, presumably by recharacterizing Excess MSRs as an interest in reasonable compensation for servicing the underlying mortgage loans. A successful challenge of our treatment of Excess MSRs could result in our being treated as failing the 75% asset test. If we failed the 75% asset test and qualified for the “savings” provision described below, we would be required to pay penalty tax, which could be material, in order to maintain our REIT qualification. If we did not qualify for that “savings” provision, we would fail to qualify as a REIT. See “-Failure to Qualify.”

We have invested in and intend to continue to invest in Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS that are pass-through certificates or CMOs, and we may invest directly in residential mortgage loans. In the case of RMBS treated as interests in a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. Such mortgage loans, and any residential mortgage loans that we own directly, will generally qualify as real estate assets for purposes of the 75% asset test to the extent that they are secured by real property. Revenue Procedure 2014-51 provides a safe harbor under which the IRS has stated that it will not challenge a REIT’s treatment of a loan as being, in part, a qualifying real estate asset in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the loan on the

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date of the relevant quarterly REIT asset testing date or (ii) the greater of (a) the current value of the real property securing the loan on the date of the relevant quarterly REIT asset testing date or (b) the fair market value of the real property securing the loan determined as of the date the REIT committed to acquire the loan. In the case of RMBS treated as regular interests in a REMIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such interests will generally qualify as real estate assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. If less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC qualifies for purposes of the REIT asset test.

To the extent any of our investments in Agency RMBS are not treated as real estate assets, we expect such Agency RMBS will be treated as government securities because they are issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the United States or by a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the government of the United States pursuant to authority granted by the Congress of the United States. Our investments in non-Agency RMBS that are not interests in a grantor trust or REMIC or government securities will not be treated as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test and will be subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% value test, the 10% vote test and the 25% securities test described above.

We may also invest directly in residential mortgage loans, including, in the future, distressed loans. As discussed above under “-Gross Income Tests,” under the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, if a loan is secured by real property and other property and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as of (i) the date we agreed to acquire or originate the loan or (ii) in the event of a significant modification, the date we modified the loan, then a portion of the interest income from such a loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Although the law is not entirely clear, a portion of the loan will also likely be a non-qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. Revenue Procedure 2014-51 provides a safe harbor under which the IRS has stated that it will not challenge a REIT’s treatment of a loan as being, in part, a qualifying real estate asset in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the loan on the date of the relevant quarterly REIT asset testing date or (ii) the greater of (a) the current value of the real property securing the loan on the date of the relevant quarterly REIT asset testing date or (b) the fair market value of the real property securing the loan determined as of the date the REIT committed to acquire the loan. Under the safe harbor, when the current value of a distressed mortgage loan exceeds the fair market value of the real property that secures the loan, determined as of (i) the date we committed to acquire or originate the loan or (ii) the date of relevant quarterly REIT asset testing date, whichever produces a greater value, the excess will be treated as a nonqualifying asset. To the extent we invest in residential mortgage loans (including distressed loans), we intend to do so in a manner consistent with qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT.

We have entered, and may in the future enter, into repurchase agreements under which we nominally sold certain of our assets to a counterparty and simultaneously entered into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets in exchange for a purchase price that reflects a financing charge. Based on positions the IRS has taken in analogous situations, we believe that these transactions will be treated as secured debt and that we will be treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the assets that are the subject of such agreements notwithstanding that such agreements may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own our assets subject to our repurchase agreements during the term of such agreements, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

As discussed, we have purchased and expect to purchase Agency RMBS through forward settling transactions, including TBAs, as a means of investing in and financing Agency RMBS. While there is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or U.S. Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test or the qualification of gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we treat our TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and we treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, based on an opinion of counsel substantially to the effect that (i) for purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of real estate assets, and (ii) any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs should be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition,

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it must be emphasized that the opinion of counsel is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets or income are not qualifying assets or income. In the event that such assets were determined not to be qualifying for the 75% asset test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if the value of our contracts for forward settling transactions and any non-qualifying assets exceeds 25% of our total assets at the end of any calendar quarter or if the value of our investments in contracts for forward settling transactions with a single counterparty exceeds 5% of our total assets at the end of any calendar quarter. See “-Failure to Qualify.”

Derivative instruments, other than possibly TBAs as discussed in the prior paragraph, generally are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. Thus, interest rate swaps, futures contracts, and other similar instruments that are used in “hedging transactions” as defined in “-Hedging Transactions,” are non-qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. As discussed above, we may invest opportunistically in other types of mortgage-related assets. To the extent we invest in such assets, we intend to do so in a manner that will enable us to satisfy each of the asset tests described above. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to satisfy the asset tests described above. We will monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and seek to manage our portfolio to comply at all times with such tests. No assurance, however, can be given that we will continue to be successful in this effort. In this regard, to determine our compliance with these requirements, we will have to value our investment in our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests. Although we seek to be prudent in making these estimates, no assurances can be given that the IRS might not disagree with these determinations and assert that a different value is applicable, in which case we might not satisfy the 75% asset test and the other asset tests and, thus, would fail to qualify as a REIT. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT qualification so long as:

• we satisfied the asset tests at the end of the preceding calendar quarter; and

• the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset test requirements arose from changes in the market values of our assets and was not wholly or partly caused by the acquisition of one or more nonqualifying assets.

If we did not satisfy the condition described in the second item, above, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose.

If we violate the 5% asset test, the 10% vote test or the 10% value test described above at the end of any calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT qualification if (i) the failure is de minimis (up to the lesser of 1% of the total value of our assets or $10 million) and (ii) we dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identified such failure. In the event of a more than de minimis failure of any of the asset tests, as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will not lose our REIT qualification if we (i) dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identified such failure, (ii) file a schedule with the IRS describing the assets that caused such failure in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury and (iii) pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the product of the highest U.S. federal corporate tax rate (currently, 21%) and the net income from the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests. If the IRS were to determine that we failed the 5% asset test or 75% asset test because our TBAs are not qualifying assets, it is possible that the IRS would not consider our position taken with respect to such assets, and accordingly our failure to satisfy the 5% asset test or 75% asset test, to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Similarly, if the IRS were to determine that we failed the 75% asset test because our Excess MSRs are not qualifying assets, it is possible that the IRS would not consider our position taken with respect to such assets, and accordingly our failure to satisfy the 75% asset test, to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. If the IRS were to successfully assert these positions, we would fail to qualify as a REIT. See “-Failure to Qualify.” Accordingly, it is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions with regard to this issue or in any other circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances involving us, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.

We believe that the Excess MSRs, Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, and other assets that we may hold will satisfy the foregoing asset test requirements. We will monitor the status of our assets and our future acquisition of assets to ensure that we comply with those requirements, but we cannot assure you that we will be

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successful in this effort. No independent appraisals will be obtained to support our estimates of and conclusions as to the value of our assets and securities, or in many cases, the real estate collateral for the mortgage loans that support our Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination. As a result, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not contend that our ownership of securities and other assets violates one or more of the asset tests applicable to REITs.

Distribution Requirements

Each taxable year, we must distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends and deemed distributions of retained capital gain, to our stockholders in an aggregate amount at least equal to:

• the sum of

• 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain, and

• 90% of our after-tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property, minus

• the sum of certain items of non-cash income.

We must make such distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if either (i) we declare the distribution before we timely file our U.S. federal income tax return for the year and pay the distribution on or before the first regular dividend payment date after such declaration or (ii) we declare the distribution in October, November or December of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified day in any such month, and we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following year. The distributions under clause (i) are taxable to the stockholders in the year in which paid, and the distributions in clause (ii) are treated as paid on December 31 of the prior taxable year to the extent of our earnings and profits. In both instances, these distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.

To the extent we are not a “publicly offered REIT,” in order for distributions to be counted towards our distribution requirement, and to provide us with a tax deduction, such distributions must not have been “preferential dividends.” A distribution is not a preferential dividend if it is pro rata among all outstanding shares within a particular class and is in accordance with the preferences among the different classes of shares as set forth in our organizational documents. These preferential dividend rules do not apply to “publicly offered REITs.” Consequently, so long as we continue to be a “publicly offered REIT,” the preferential dividend rule will not apply to us. However, our Sub-REIT is not a “publicly offered REIT” and must comply with this prohibition on preferential dividends.

We will pay U.S. federal income tax on taxable income, including net capital gain, that we do not distribute to stockholders. Furthermore, if we fail to distribute during a calendar year, or by the end of January following the calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, at least the sum of:

• 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year,

• 95% of our REIT capital gain income for such year, and

• any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts we actually distribute.

We may elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long term capital gain we recognize in a taxable year. See “-Taxation of U.S. Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders on Distributions on Capital Stock.” If we so elect, we will be treated as having distributed any such retained amount for purposes of the REIT distribution requirements and the 4% nondeductible excise tax described above.

We intend to continue to make timely distributions in the future sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax.

It is possible that, from time to time, we may experience timing differences between the actual receipt of cash, including distributions from our subsidiaries, and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of that income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our REIT taxable income. Possible examples of those timing differences include the following:

• Because we may deduct capital losses only to the extent of our capital gains, we may have taxable income that exceeds our economic income.

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• We will recognize taxable income in advance of the related cash flow with respect to our investments that are deemed to have original issue discount. We generally must accrue original issue discount based on a constant yield method that takes into account projected prepayments but that defers taking into account credit losses until they are actually incurred.

• We may acquire investments that are treated as having “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, because the investments are debt instruments that we acquire for an amount less than their principal amount. We do not intend to elect to recognize market discount currently. Under the market discount rules, we may be required to treat portions of gains on sale of market discount bonds as ordinary income and may be required to include some amounts of principal payments received on market discount bonds as ordinary income. The recognition of market discount upon receipt of principal payments results in an acceleration of the recognition of taxable income to periods prior to the receipt of the related economic income. Further, to the extent that such an investment does not fully amortize according to its terms, we may never receive the economic income attributable to previously recognized market discount.

Although several types of non-cash income are excluded in determining the annual distribution requirement, we will incur U.S. federal corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax with respect to those non-cash income items if we do not distribute those items on a current basis. As a result of the foregoing, we may have less cash than is necessary to distribute all of our taxable income and thereby avoid corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds, sell assets or make taxable distributions of our capital stock or debt securities.

We may satisfy the REIT annual distribution requirement by making taxable distributions of our stock. The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2017-45 authorizing elective cash/stock dividends to be made by “publicly offered REITs.” Pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2017-45, the IRS will treat the distribution of stock pursuant to an elective cash/stock dividend as a distribution of property under Section 301 of the Code (e.g., a dividend), as long as at least 20% of the total dividend is available in cash and certain other parameters detailed in the Revenue Procedure are satisfied. We have made a taxable dividend payable in cash and our stock in the past and may do so in the future.

Under certain circumstances, we may be able to correct a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our stockholders in a later year. We may include such deficiency dividends in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Although we may be able to avoid income tax on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, we will be required to pay interest and may be required to pay a penalty to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction we take for deficiency dividends.

Recordkeeping Requirements

We must maintain certain records in order to qualify as a REIT. In addition, to avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding stock. We intend to continue to comply with these requirements.

Failure to Qualify

If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and the asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. In addition, there are relief provisions for a failure of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described in “-Gross Income Tests” and “-Asset Tests.” If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and no relief provision applies, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax and, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2018, any applicable alternative minimum tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates. In calculating our taxable income in a year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not be able to deduct amounts paid out to stockholders. In fact, we would not be required to distribute any amounts to stockholders in that year. In such event, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to stockholders would be taxable as ordinary income. Subject to certain limitations of the U.S. federal income tax laws, corporate stockholders might be eligible for the dividends received deduction and stockholders taxed at individual rates might be eligible for the

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reduced federal income tax rate of 20% on such dividends. Unless we qualified for relief under specific statutory provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we ceased to qualify as a REIT. We cannot predict whether in all circumstances we would qualify for such statutory relief.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

The term “U.S. stockholder” means a beneficial owner of our capital stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:

• a citizen or resident of the United States;

• a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any of its States or the District of Columbia;

• an estate whose income is subject to federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

• any trust if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons (as defined in Code Section 7701(a)(30)) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

If a partnership, entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our capital stock, the federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our capital stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our capital stock by the partnership.

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders on Distributions on Capital Stock

As long as we qualify as a REIT, a taxable U.S. stockholder must generally take into account as ordinary income distributions made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends or retained long-term capital gain. For purposes of determining whether a distribution is made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to our preferred stock dividends, if any, and then to our common stock dividends. Under current law, individuals, trusts, and estates may deduct a portion of certain pass-through income, including ordinary REIT dividends that are not “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” subject to certain limitations. Without further legislation, this deduction will sunset after 2025.

A U.S. stockholder will not qualify for the dividends received deduction generally available to corporations. Additionally, because we are not generally subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income distributed to our stockholders (see “-Taxation of Our Company” above), our dividends generally will not be eligible for the capital gains tax rate generally available for “qualified dividend income” (generally, dividends paid by domestic C corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations to U.S. stockholders that are taxed at individual rates). As a result, our ordinary REIT dividends will be taxed at the higher tax rate applicable to ordinary income, reduced by the deduction described above.

However, the capital gains rate for qualified dividend income will apply to our ordinary REIT dividends (i) attributable to dividends received by us from certain non-REIT corporations (e.g., dividends from any domestic TRSs), (ii) to the extent attributable to income upon which we have paid corporate income tax (e.g., to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our taxable income) and (iii) attributable to income in the prior taxable year from the sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by us from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income). In general, to qualify for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, a U.S. stockholder must hold our capital stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which our capital stock become ex-dividend. Individuals, trusts and estates whose income exceeds certain thresholds are also subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on dividends received from us.

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A U.S. stockholder generally will recognize distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends as long-term capital gain, to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to how long the U.S. stockholder has held our capital stock. A corporate U.S. stockholder may, however, be required to treat a portion of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.

We may elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term capital gain that we recognize in a taxable year. In that case, to the extent we designate such amount on a timely notice to such stockholder, a U.S. stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain. The U.S. stockholder would receive a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid. The U.S. stockholder would increase the basis in its stock by the amount of its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain, minus its share of the tax we paid.

A U.S. stockholder will not incur tax on a distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if the distribution does not exceed the adjusted basis of the U.S. stockholder’s capital stock. Instead, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of such capital stock. A U.S. stockholder will recognize a distribution in excess of both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis in his or her capital stock as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the capital stock has been held for one year or less, assuming the capital stock is a capital asset in the hands of the U.S. stockholder. In addition, if we declare a distribution in October, November or December of any year that is payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month, such distribution will be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of such year to the extent of our earnings and profits for such year, provided that we actually pay the distribution during January of the following calendar year, as described in “-Distribution Requirements.”

Stockholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses. Instead, these losses are generally carried over by us for potential offset against our future income. Taxable distributions from us and gain from the disposition of our capital stock will not be treated as passive activity income and, therefore, a U.S. stockholder generally will not be able to apply any “passive activity losses,” such as losses from certain types of limited partnerships in which such U.S. stockholder is a limited partner, against such income. In addition, taxable distributions from us and gain from the disposition of our capital stock generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitations. We will notify stockholders after the close of our taxable year as to the portions of the distributions attributable to that year that constitute ordinary income, return of capital and capital gain.

We may recognize taxable income in excess of our economic income, known as phantom income, in the first years that we hold certain investments, and experience an offsetting excess of economic income over our taxable income in later years. As a result, U.S. stockholders at times may be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on distributions that economically represent a return of capital rather than a dividend. These distributions would be offset in later years by distributions representing economic income that would be treated as returns of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Taking into account the time value of money, this acceleration of U.S. federal income tax liabilities may reduce a U.S. stockholder’s after-tax return on his or her investment to an amount less than the after-tax return on an investment with an identical before-tax rate of return that did not generate phantom income. In general, as the ratio of our phantom income to our total income increases, the after-tax rate of return received by a taxable U.S. stockholder will decrease. If excess inclusion income from a taxable mortgage pool or REMIC residual interest is allocated to any U.S. stockholder that income will be taxable in the hands of the U.S. stockholder and would not be offset by any net operating losses of the U.S. stockholder that would otherwise be available. See “-Requirements for Qualification-Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.” As required by IRS guidance, we would notify our stockholders if a portion of a dividend paid by us is attributable to excess inclusion income. We do not currently expect to generate excess inclusion income for our stockholders.

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders on the Disposition of Capital Stock

In general, a U.S. stockholder who is not a dealer in securities must treat any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of our capital stock as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held such capital stock for more than one year and otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. In general, a U.S. stockholder will realize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market

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value of any property and the amount of cash received in such disposition and the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis. A holder’s adjusted tax basis generally will equal the U.S. stockholder’s acquisition cost, increased by the excess of net capital gains deemed distributed to the U.S. stockholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid by such U.S. stockholder on such gains and reduced by any returns of capital. However, a U.S. stockholder must treat any loss upon a sale or exchange of capital stock held by such holder for six months or less as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends and any other actual or deemed distributions from us that such U.S. stockholder treats as long term capital gain. All or a portion of any loss that a U.S. stockholder realizes upon a taxable disposition of our capital stock may be disallowed if the U.S. stockholder purchases our capital stock (or substantially similar capital stock) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders on a Conversion of Preferred Stock

Except as provided below, (i) a U.S. stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of preferred stock into our common stock, and (ii) a U.S. stockholder’s basis and holding period in our common stock received upon conversion generally will be the same as those of the converted preferred stock (but the basis will be reduced by the portion of adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional share exchanged for cash). Any of our shares of common stock received in a conversion that are attributable to accrued and unpaid dividends that are in arrears on the converted preferred stock will be treated as a distribution that is potentially taxable as a dividend. Cash received upon conversion in lieu of a fractional share generally will be treated as a payment in a taxable exchange for such fractional share, and gain or loss will be recognized on the receipt of cash in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the adjusted tax basis allocable to the fractional share deemed exchanged. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held the preferred stock for more than one year at the time of conversion. Any common stock received on conversion in exchange for accrued and unpaid dividends on our preferred stock generally will be treated as a distribution by us, and subject to tax treatment of distributions as described above.

U.S. stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such holder exchanges shares of our common stock received on a conversion of preferred stock for cash or other property.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders on a Redemption of Preferred Stock

A redemption of preferred stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution that is taxable as dividend income (to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits), unless the redemption satisfies certain tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale of the preferred stock (in which case the redemption will be treated in the same manner as a sale described above in “-Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders on the Disposition of Capital Stock”). The redemption will satisfy such tests if it (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. stockholder’s interest in our stock, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. stockholder’s interest in all of our classes of stock or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the stockholder, all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code. In determining whether any of these tests have been met, stock considered to be owned by the holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as stock actually owned, generally must be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the three alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code described above will be satisfied with respect to any particular U.S. stockholder of preferred stock depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment. If a redemption of preferred stock does not meet any of the three tests described above, the redemption proceeds will be taxable as a dividend, as described above in “-Taxation of U.S. Stockholders.” In that case, a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed preferred stock will be transferred to such U.S. stockholder’s remaining shareholdings in us. If the U.S. stockholder does not retain any of our stock, such basis could be transferred to a related person that holds our stock or it may be lost. With respect to a redemption of our capital stock that is treated as a distribution but that is not otherwise taxable as a dividend because it exceeds our earnings and profits, the method by which a U.S. stockholder must reduce its basis is uncertain in situations where the U.S. stockholder owns different blocks of stock that were acquired at different prices and thus have different bases. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a redemption of the preferred stock.

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Capital Gains and Losses

A taxpayer generally must hold a capital asset for more than one year for gain or loss derived from its sale or exchange to be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain applicable to U.S. stockholders taxed at individual rates is 20% for sales and exchanges of assets held for more than one year. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain from the sale or exchange of “section 1250 property,” or depreciable real property, is 25%, which applies to the lesser of the total amount of the gains or the accumulated depreciation on the Section 1250 property. Individuals, trusts and estates whose income exceeds certain thresholds are also subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on gain from the sale of our capital stock. With respect to distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends and any retained capital gain that we are deemed to distribute, we will designate whether such a distribution is taxable to U.S. stockholders taxed at individual rates at a 20% or 25% rate. The highest marginal individual income tax rate currently is 37% (39.6% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026 (without further legislation)). Thus, the tax rate differential between capital gain and ordinary income for those taxpayers may be significant. In addition, the characterization of income as capital gain or ordinary income may affect the deductibility of capital losses, including capital losses recognized upon the disposition of our stock. A non-corporate taxpayer may deduct capital losses not offset by capital gains against its ordinary income only up to a maximum annual amount of $3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals filing separate returns). A non-corporate taxpayer may carry forward unused capital losses indefinitely. A corporate taxpayer must pay tax on its net capital gain at ordinary U.S. federal corporate income tax rates. A corporate taxpayer may deduct capital losses only to the extent of capital gains, with unused losses being carried back three years and forward five years.

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding

We or the applicable withholding agent will report to U.S. stockholders and to the IRS the amount and the tax character of distributions we pay during each calendar year, and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to distributions unless such holder:

• is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact; or

• provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

A U.S. stockholder who does not provide the applicable withholding agent with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the U.S. stockholder’s income tax liability. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding application of backup withholding to them and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining an exemption from, backup withholding. In addition, the applicable withholding agent may be required to withhold a portion of distributions to any U.S. stockholders who fail to certify their U.S. status. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate generally will be imposed on dividends received by U.S. stockholders who own our capital stock through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries if certain disclosure requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of amounts withheld.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Stockholders

Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. They are subject, however, to taxation on their UBTI. While many investments in real estate generate UBTI, the IRS has issued a ruling that dividend distributions from a REIT to an exempt employee pension trust do not constitute UBTI, so long as the exempt employee pension trust does not otherwise use the shares of the REIT in an unrelated trade or business of the pension trust. Based on that ruling, amounts that we distribute to tax-exempt stockholders generally should not constitute UBTI. However, if a tax-exempt stockholder were to finance its investment in our capital stock with debt, a portion of the income that it receives from us would constitute UBTI pursuant to the “debt-financed property” rules. In addition, our dividends that are attributable to excess inclusion income will constitute UBTI in the hands of most tax-exempt stockholders. See

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“-Requirements for Qualification-Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.” However, we currently expect to avoid generating excess inclusion income for our stockholders. Moreover, social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans that are exempt from taxation under special provisions of the U.S. federal income tax laws are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions that they receive from us as UBTI. Finally, in certain circumstances, a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust that owns more than 10% of our stock must treat a percentage of the dividends that it receives from us as UBTI. Such percentage is equal to the gross income we derive from an unrelated trade or business, determined as if we were a pension trust, divided by our total gross income for the year in which we pay the dividends. That rule applies to a pension trust holding more than 10% of our stock only if:

• the percentage of our dividends that the tax-exempt trust must treat as UBTI is at least 5%;

• we qualify as a REIT by reason of the modification of the rule requiring that no more than 50% of our stock be owned by five or fewer individuals that allows the beneficiaries of the pension trust to be treated as holding our stock in proportion to their actuarial interests in the pension trust; and

• either:

• one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock; or

• A group of pension trusts individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock collectively owns more than 50% of the value of our stock.

Tax-exempt U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences of owning our capital stock.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The term “non-U.S. stockholder” means a beneficial owner of our capital stock that is not a U.S. stockholder or a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes). The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign holders are complex. This section is only a summary of such rules. We urge non-U.S. stockholders to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state and local income tax laws on ownership of our capital stock, including any reporting requirements.

A non-U.S. stockholder that receives a distribution from us that is not attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of “United States real property interests,” or USRPI, as defined below, and that we do not designate as a capital gain dividend or retained capital gains will recognize ordinary income to the extent that we pay the distribution out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. A withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution ordinarily will apply unless an applicable tax treaty reduces or eliminates the tax. Our dividends that are attributable to excess inclusion income will be subject to the 30% withholding tax, without reduction for any otherwise applicable income tax treaty. See “-Requirements for Qualification-Taxable Mortgage Pools and Excess Inclusion Income.” We currently expect to avoid generating excess inclusion income for our stockholders. If a distribution is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the distribution will not incur the 30% withholding tax, but the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to federal income tax on the distribution at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed on distributions and also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a corporate non-U.S. stockholder. In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our capital stock. It is expected that the applicable withholding agent will withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any distribution that we do not designate as a capital gain distribution or retained capital gain and is paid to a non-U.S. stockholder unless either:

• a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files with the applicable withholding agent an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate; or

• the non-U.S. stockholder files with the applicable withholding agent an IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the distribution is effectively connected income.

However, reduced treaty rates are not available to the extent that the income allocated to the non-U.S. stockholder is excess inclusion income.

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Capital gain dividends received or deemed received by a non-U.S. stockholder from us that are not attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of USRPIs, as defined below, are generally not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless either (1) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our capital stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year).

A non-U.S. stockholder will not incur tax on a distribution on the capital stock in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if the excess portion of the distribution does not exceed the adjusted tax basis of its capital stock. Instead, the excess portion of the distribution will reduce such non-U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis of its capital stock. A non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to tax on a distribution that exceeds both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the adjusted basis of its capital stock, if the non-U.S. stockholder otherwise would be subject to tax on gain from the sale or disposition of its capital stock, as described below. Because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it is expected that the applicable withholding agent normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate applicable to withholding on a dividend. However, a non-U.S. stockholder may obtain a refund of amounts that the applicable withholding agent withheld if we later determine that a distribution in fact exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Under FATCA, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate generally will be imposed on dividends paid to certain non-U.S. stockholders if certain disclosure requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. If payment of withholding taxes is required, non-U.S. stockholders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. withholding taxes with respect to such dividends and proceeds will be required to seek a refund from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of any amounts withheld.

For any year in which we qualify as a REIT, a non-U.S. stockholder may incur tax on distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of USRPIs under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act of 1980, as amended, or FIRPTA. The term USRPI includes interests in real property and shares in corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of interests in real property. It generally does not include residential mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities such as Agency RMBS or non-Agency RMBS. As a result, we do not anticipate that we will generate material amounts of gain that would be subject to FIRPTA. Under the FIRPTA rules, a non-U.S. stockholder is taxed on distributions attributable to gain from sales of USRPIs as if the gain were effectively connected with a U.S. business of the non-U.S. stockholder. A non-U.S. stockholder thus would be taxed on such a distribution at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of a nonresident alien individual. A non-U.S. corporate holder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on such a distribution. Unless a non-U.S. stockholder qualifies for the exception described in the next paragraph, the applicable withholding agent must withhold 21% of any such distribution that we could designate as a capital gain dividend. A non-U.S. stockholder may receive a credit against such stockholder’s tax liability for the amount withheld.

Capital gain distributions on our capital stock that are attributable to our sale of real property will be treated as ordinary dividends, rather than as gain from the sale of a USRPI, as long as (i) the applicable class of our capital stock is “regularly traded” on an established securities market in the United States and (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder does not own more than 10% of the applicable class of our capital stock during the one-year period preceding the distribution date. As a result, non-U.S. stockholders generally would be subject to withholding tax on such capital gain distributions in the same manner as they are subject to withholding tax on ordinary dividends.

We believe that our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock currently are treated as being regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States. If the applicable class of our capital stock is not regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States or the non-U.S. stockholder owned more than 10% of the applicable class of our capital stock at any time during the one-year period prior to the distribution, capital gain distributions that are attributable to our sale of real property would be subject to tax

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under FIRPTA. Moreover, if a non-U.S. stockholder disposes of our capital stock during the 30-day period preceding a dividend payment, and such non-U.S. stockholder (or a person related to such non-U.S. stockholder) acquires or enters into a contract or option to acquire our capital stock within 61 days of the 1st day of the 30 day period described above, and any portion of such dividend payment would, but for the disposition, be treated as a USRPI capital gain to such non-U.S. stockholder, then such non-U.S. stockholder will be treated as having USRPI capital gain in an amount that, but for the disposition, would have been treated as USRPI capital gain.

A non-U.S. stockholder generally will not incur tax under FIRPTA with respect to gain realized upon a disposition of our capital stock as long as we are not a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, during a specified testing period. If at least 50% of a REIT’s assets are USRPIs, then the REIT will be a USRPHC. We do not believe that we are, or anticipate that we will be a USRPHC based on our current investment strategy. In the unlikely event that at least 50% of the assets we hold were determined to be USRPIs, gains from the sale of our capital stock by a non-U.S. stockholder could be subject to a FIRPTA tax. However, even if that event were to occur, a non-U.S. stockholder generally would not incur tax under FIRPTA on gain from the sale of our capital stock if we were a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT in which, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its stock are held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. persons. We believe that we are, and expect to continue to be, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our capital stock would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. No assurance can be given, however, that we will remain a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.

If the applicable class of our capital stock is regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States, an additional exception to the tax under FIRPTA on gain from share sales will be available with respect to a non-U.S. stockholder’s disposition of such stock, even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity at the time the non-U.S. stockholder sells our capital stock. Under this additional exception, the gain from such a sale by such a non-U.S. stockholder will not be subject to tax under FIRPTA if:

• the applicable class of our capital stock is considered regularly traded under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations on an established securities market, such as the New York Stock Exchange; and

• the non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 10% or less of the applicable class of our capital stock at all times during a specified testing period.

As noted above, we believe that our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock currently are treated as being regularly traded on an established securities market. If the gain on the sale of our capital stock were taxed under FIRPTA, a non-U.S. stockholder would be taxed on that gain in the same manner as U.S. stockholders, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals.

In addition, amendments to FIPRTA create certain exemptions from FIRPTA and otherwise modify the application of the foregoing FIRPTA rules for particular types of non-U.S. stockholders, including “qualified shareholders,” “qualified foreign pension funds” and their wholly owned foreign subsidiaries and certain widely held, publicly traded “qualified collective investment vehicles.” Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of these or any other special FIRPTA rules to their particular investment in our capital stock.

Conversion or Redemption of Preferred Stock

The conversion of our preferred stock into our common stock may be a taxable exchange for a non-U.S. stockholder if our preferred stock constitutes a USRPI. However, even if our preferred stock constitutes a USRPI, provided our common stock also constitutes a USRPI, a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon a conversion of preferred stock into our common stock so long as certain FIRPTA-related reporting requirements are satisfied. If our preferred stock constitutes a USRPI and such requirements are not satisfied, however, a conversion will be treated as a taxable exchange of preferred stock for our common stock. Such a deemed taxable exchange will be subject to tax under FIRPTA at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type (e.g., a corporate or a non-corporate stockholder, as the case may be) on the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such non-U.S. stockholder’s

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common stock received over such non-U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis in its preferred stock. Collection of such tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the value of the common stock.

Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such non-U.S. stockholder exchanges shares of our common stock received on a conversion of preferred stock for cash or other property.

For a discussion of the treatment of a redemption of preferred stock, see “-Taxation of U.S. Stockholders on a Redemption of Preferred Stock.”

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding

Backup withholding will generally not apply to payments of dividends made by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. stockholder provided that the non-U.S. stockholder furnishes to the applicable withholding agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if the applicable withholding agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient. Payments of the net proceeds from a disposition or a redemption effected outside the United States by a non-U.S. stockholder made by or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, information reporting (but not backup withholding) generally will apply to such a payment if the broker has certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Payment of the net proceeds from a disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder of capital stock made by or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. stockholder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding application of backup withholding to them and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining an exemption from, backup withholding.

Tax Aspects of Our Investments in Our Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to our direct or indirect investments in our operating partnership and any subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies that we form or acquire (each individually a “Partnership” and, collectively, the “Partnerships”). This discussion does not cover state or local tax laws or any U.S. federal tax laws other than income tax laws.

General

We conduct our activities through our operating partnership, and our operating partnership (through our Sub-REIT) may hold investments through entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, the partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are potentially subject to tax on these items, without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We will include in our income our proportionate share of any partnership items arising from Partnerships in which we hold an interest for purposes of the various REIT income tests and in computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we will include in our calculations our proportionate share of any assets held by such Partnerships. Our proportionate share of a Partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the Partnership.

Classification as Partnerships

We will be entitled to include in our income our distributive share of each Partnership’s income and to deduct our distributive share of each Partnership’s losses only if such Partnership is classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a partnership (or an entity that is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes if the entity is treated

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as having only one owner or member for U.S. federal income tax purposes) rather than as a corporation or an association taxable as a corporation. An unincorporated entity with at least two owners or members will be classified as a partnership, rather than as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it:

• is treated as a partnership under the Treasury Regulations relating to entity classification (the “Check-the-Box Regulations”); and

• is not a “publicly-traded partnership.”

Under the Check-the-Box Regulations, an unincorporated entity with at least two owners or members may elect to be classified either as an association taxable as a corporation or as a partnership. If such an entity fails to make an election, it generally will be treated as a partnership (or an entity that is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes if the entity is treated as having only one owner or member for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our operating partnership intends to be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will not elect to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation under the Check-the-Box Regulations.

A publicly-traded partnership is a partnership whose interests are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof. A publicly-traded partnership will not, however, be treated as a corporation for any taxable year if, for each taxable year beginning after December 31, 1987 in which it was classified as a publicly-traded partnership, 90% or more of the partnership’s gross income for such year consists of certain passive-type income, including real property rents, gains from the sale or other disposition of real property, interest, and dividends, or the “90% passive income exception”. Treasury Regulations provide limited safe harbors from the definition of a publicly-traded partnership. Pursuant to one of those safe harbors or the “private placement exclusion,” interests in a partnership will not be treated as readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof if (i) all interests in the partnership were issued in a transaction or transactions that were not required to be registered under the Securities Act and (ii) the partnership does not have more than 100 partners at any time during the partnership’s taxable year. In determining the number of partners in a partnership, a person owning an interest in an entity that is a partnership, grantor trust, or S corporation that owns an interest in the partnership is treated as a partner in such partnership only if (i) substantially all of the value of the owner’s interest in the entity is attributable to the entity’s direct or indirect interest in the partnership and (ii) a principal purpose of the use of the entity is to permit the partnership to satisfy the 100-partner limitation. We believe that our operating partnership and each other partnership in which we own an interest qualifies for the private placement exception.

We have not requested, and do not intend to request, a ruling from the IRS that our operating partnership will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If for any reason our operating partnership were taxable as a corporation, rather than as a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we likely would not be able to qualify as a REIT unless we qualified for certain relief provisions. See “-Gross Income Tests” and “-Asset Tests.” In addition, any change in a Partnership’s classification for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we might incur tax liability without any related cash distribution. See “-Distribution Requirements.” Further, items of income and deduction of such Partnership would not pass through to us or its other partners, and we and its other partners would be treated as stockholders for tax purposes. Consequently, such Partnership would be required to pay income tax at U.S. federal corporate income tax rates on its net income, and distributions to us and its other partners would constitute dividends that would not be deductible in computing such Partnership’s taxable income.

Income Taxation of the Partnerships and their Partners

Partners, Not the Partnerships, Subject to Tax

A partnership is not a taxable entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, we are required to take into account our allocable share of each Partnership’s income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits for any taxable year of such Partnership ending within or with our taxable year, without regard to whether we have received or will receive any distribution from such Partnership. However, as discussed below, the tax liability for adjustments to a partnership’s tax returns as a result of an audit by the IRS will be imposed on the partnership itself in certain circumstances absent an election to the contrary.

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Partnership Allocations

Although a partnership agreement generally will determine the allocation of income and losses among partners, such allocations will be disregarded for tax purposes if they do not comply with the provisions of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing partnership allocations. If an allocation is not recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership, which will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. Each Partnership’s allocations of taxable income, gain, and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing partnership allocations.

Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Properties

We may acquire properties in exchange for partnership units in our operating partnership, or OP units, in the future. Income, gain, loss, and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, respectively, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss (“Built-in Gain” or “Built-in Loss”) is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value of the contributed property at the time of contribution and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of contribution (a “Book-Tax Difference”).

Any property purchased for cash initially by our operating partnership will have an adjusted tax basis equal to the amount paid, resulting in no Book-Tax Difference. Allocations with respect to Book-Tax Differences are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued regulations requiring partnerships to use a “reasonable method” for allocating items with respect to which there is a Book-Tax Difference and outlining several reasonable allocation methods. Under certain available methods, the carryover basis of contributed properties in the hands of our operating partnership (i) could cause us to be allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if all contributed properties were to have a tax basis equal to their fair market value at the time of the contribution and (ii) in the event of a sale of such properties, could cause us to be allocated taxable gain in excess of the economic or book gain allocated to us as a result of such sale, with a corresponding benefit to the contributing partners. An allocation described in (ii) above might cause us to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds in the event of a sale or other disposition of property, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements and may result in a greater portion of our distributions being taxed as dividends. We have not yet decided what method will be used to account for Book-Tax Differences for properties that may be acquired in exchange for OP units by our operating partnership in the future.

Our operating partnership will revalue its assets upon any grant of long-term incentive plan units, or LTIP units, a special class of limited partnership interests in our operating partnership, and thereafter upon the occurrence of certain specified events permitted under the Treasury Regulations (including a subsequent issuance of LTIP units), and any increase in valuation since the time of grant of such LTIP units or the last revaluation event from the time of grant until such event will be allocated first to the existing LTIP units holders to equalize the capital accounts of such holders with the capital accounts of holders of our other outstanding partnership units. Upon equalization of the capital accounts of the LTIP unit holders with the capital accounts of the other holders of our OP units, the LTIP units will achieve full parity with our other OP units for all purposes, including with respect to liquidating distributions. The liquidation value of an LTIP unit upon grant will be zero because liquidating distributions are required to be made in accordance with the partners’ positive capital account balances (and at the time of the grant of an LTIP unit, the capital account of the holder of such LTIP unit is zero with respect to such LTIP unit).

Sale of a Partnership’s Property

Generally, any gain realized by a Partnership on the sale of property held by the Partnership for more than one year will be long-term capital gain, except for any portion of such gain that is treated as depreciation or cost recovery recapture. Under Section 704(c) of the Code, any gain or loss recognized by a Partnership on the disposition of contributed properties will be allocated first to the partners of the Partnership who contributed such

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properties to the extent of their Built-in Gain or Loss on those properties for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The partners’ Built-in Gain or Loss on such contributed properties will equal the difference between the partners’ proportionate share of the book value of those properties and the partners’ tax basis allocable to those properties at the time of the contribution as reduced for any decrease in the Book-Tax Difference. See “-Income Taxation of the Partnerships and their Partners-Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Properties.” Any remaining gain or loss recognized by the Partnership on the disposition of the contributed properties, and any gain or loss recognized by the Partnership on the disposition of the other properties, will generally be allocated among the partners in accordance with their respective interests in the Partnership.

Our share of any gain realized by a Partnership on the sale of any property held by the Partnership as inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s trade or business will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% prohibited transactions tax. Such prohibited transaction income also may have an adverse effect upon our ability to satisfy the income tests for REIT status. See “-Gross Income Tests.” We do not presently intend to acquire or hold or to allow any Partnership to acquire or hold any property, other than through a TRS, that represents inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our or such Partnership’s trade or business.

Partnership Audit Rules

Any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit of a partnership (and any partner’s distributive share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest or penalties attributable thereto are assessed and collected, at the partnership level. It is possible these rules could result in partnerships in which we directly or indirectly invest being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and we, as a direct or indirect partner of those partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest and penalties even though we, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level taxes as a result of the related audit adjustment. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the potential impact of the partnership audit rules on their investment in our securities.

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Additionally, several of the tax considerations described herein are currently under review and are subject to change. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the federal tax laws on an investment in our securities.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and/or our securityholders may be subject to taxation by various states, localities or foreign jurisdictions, including those in which we, our subsidiaries, or our securityholders transact business, own property or reside. We or our subsidiaries may own properties located in numerous jurisdictions and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. The state, local and foreign tax treatment of us and our securityholders may differ from the federal income tax treatment of us and our securityholders described above. Consequently, securityholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws upon an investment in our securities.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

• through agents to the public or to investors;

• to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to investors;

• directly to agents;

• in “at-the-market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;

• directly to investors;

• through a combination of any of these methods of sale; or

• in any manner, as provided in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

We may also effect a distribution of the securities offered hereby through the issuance of derivative securities, including, without limitation, warrants, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options. In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:

• a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;

• purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

• ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or

• privately negotiated transactions.

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we may also enter into hedging transactions. For example, we may:

• enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof in connection with which such broker-dealer or affiliate will engage in short sales of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus, in which case such broker-dealer or affiliate may use securities issued pursuant to this prospectus to close out its short positions;

• sell securities short and redeliver such shares to close out our short positions;

• enter into option or other types of transactions that require us to deliver securities to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who will then resell or transfer securities under this prospectus; or

• loan or pledge securities to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus.

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of securities, including:

• the name or names of any agents or underwriters;

• the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

• the terms of the securities offered;

• any over-allotment or other options under which underwriters or agents may purchase or place additional securities;

• any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

• any public offering price;

• any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

• any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed.

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Agents

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell the securities being offered hereby on a continuing basis, unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement.

We may from time to time engage a broker-dealer to act as our offering agent for one or more offerings of our securities. If we reach agreement with an offering agent with respect to a specific offering, including the number of securities and any minimum price below which sales may not be made, then the offering agent will try to sell such common stock on the agreed terms. The offering agent could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The offering agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, with respect to any sales effected through an “at-the-market” offering.

Underwriters

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities, and may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will identify the underwriter or underwriters and describe the nature of any such relationship in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Institutional Purchasers

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit certain institutional investors, approved by us, to purchase our securities on a delayed delivery basis or pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. We will describe in the prospectus supplement the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and applicable sales commissions payable on such solicitations.

Direct Sales

We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the accompanying prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses from time to time.

Underwriting Compensation

Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us and our operating partnership, to indemnification against and contribution toward civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will describe any indemnification agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities covered by this prospectus will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, which are listed on the NYSE. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Stabilization Activities

In accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, underwriters may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing or short covering transactions or penalty bids in connection with an offering of our securities. Over-allotment transactions involve sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than they would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain matters of Maryland law, including the validity of the securities covered by this prospectus, will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP. Certain tax matters will be passed upon for us by Mayer Brown LLP.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation appearing in Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Our website is http://www.chmireit.com. We make our SEC filings available on our website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information on or accessible from our website is not considered a part of or incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in that registration statement and is only a part of that registration statement. Statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in this prospectus or a document we incorporate by reference are not necessarily complete and, where that contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference into the registration statement, each statement in this prospectus or a document we incorporate by reference is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. Our SEC filings also are available electronically to the public on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

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INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC

SEC rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the termination of the offering of any securities covered by this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2024;

• our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2024;

• our Current Reports on Form on 8-K filed with the SEC on June 14, 2024 and July 9, 2024;

• our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024 (but only with respect to information required by Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023);

• the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on September 27, 2013, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description;

• the description of our Series A Preferred Stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 16, 2017, including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

• the description of our Series B Preferred Stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2019, including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the termination of the offering of any securities covered by this prospectus (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules).

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You can request those documents by writing, telephoning or emailing us at:

Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation

1451 Route 34, Suite 303

Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (877) 870-7005

Email: InvestorRelations@chmireit.com

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Up to $54,775,747 in Shares of

Common Stock

 

Prospectus Supplement

Citizens JMP B. Riley Securities BTIG

August 28, 2024